Over 187,000 children under ten in central Gaza received the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) during the first phase of a two-round polio vaccination campaign held from September 1–3, 2024. This phase surpassed the initial target of 157,000 children, thanks to population movement into central Gaza and expanded coverage beyond the humanitarian pause zone.
To ensure comprehensive coverage, polio vaccination efforts will continue at four major health facilities in central Gaza in the coming days. These sites are stocked with additional vaccine doses to address any unmet needs.
Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed optimism about the campaign: “It has been extremely encouraging to see thousands of children accessing polio vaccines with the support of their resilient families and courageous health workers, despite the harsh conditions they have faced over the past 11 months. All parties respected the humanitarian pause, and we hope this positive momentum continues.”
The first phase involved 513 teams with over 2,180 health and community outreach workers. Vaccinations were administered at 143 fixed sites, including hospitals, medical points, primary care centers, displaced persons camps, public gathering spaces such as temporary learning centers, food and water distribution points, and transit routes. Mobile teams also visited tents and hard-to-reach areas, addressing families unable to access fixed sites. Special missions were conducted in Al-Maghazi, Al-Bureij, and Al-Mussader—areas just outside the humanitarian pause zone—to reach eligible children who could not visit vaccination sites due to security concerns.
The next phase of the campaign is scheduled for southern Gaza from September 5–8, 2024, aiming to vaccinate approximately 340,000 children. A total of 517 teams, including 384 mobile units, will be deployed. Community outreach workers have already begun informing families in southern Gaza about the campaign. Vaccine carriers, cold storage boxes, and other supplies have been transported to Khan Younis for distribution.
The final phase will take place in northern Gaza from September 9–11, 2024, targeting around 150,000 children.
Achieving at least 90% vaccination coverage in each round is crucial to stopping the outbreak, preventing the international spread of polio, and mitigating the risk of re-emergence, given the disrupted health, water, and sanitation systems in Gaza. Vaccination coverage will be monitored throughout the campaign, with adjustments made as needed to ensure all eligible children receive their vaccines.
The two-round campaign, led by the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and other partners, aims to administer two doses of nOPV2 to around 640,000 children per round.
Dr. Peeperkorn concluded, “The success of the first phase in central Gaza reflects tremendous coordination among various partners, including the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and donors, and highlights the crucial role of peace for the health and well-being of people in Gaza. We urge all parties to continue honoring their commitments to humanitarian pauses as the second phase of the campaign begins.
