The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that over 600,000 children in Gaza have been vaccinated against polio, thanks to a ceasefire that allowed health workers to reach those who had missed previous doses.
After polio re-emerged in Gaza for the first time in over 20 years—infecting a 10-month-old infant in August 2024—two vaccination rounds were conducted in September and October.
More than 95% of targeted children received both required doses of the oral vaccine.
However, environmental samples collected in December 2024 and January 2025 confirmed that the virus was still circulating.
Following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on January 19, a new vaccination campaign was launched, targeting 591,000 children under the age of 10.
The five-day initiative, which ended on Wednesday, involved 1,600 vaccination teams and over 1,200 community health workers.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the ceasefire allowed health workers to reach more children than in previous rounds, including those displaced or previously inaccessible due to insecurity.
He emphasized that eradicating polio requires not only full immunization but also access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and proper nutrition. However, he stressed that what Gaza’s children need most is lasting peace.
Polio, a highly contagious virus that spreads through contaminated water and sewage, primarily affects children under five. It can cause paralysis, lifelong disabilities, and even death.
Despite harsh winter conditions, parents in Gaza brought their children to vaccination centers, according to WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn. He described the high turnout in the first three days as an extraordinary achievement.
A follow-up vaccination round is planned in four weeks to ensure broader protection against the virus.
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