Polio Time Bomb: UN Sounds Alarm as Gaza Vaccination Delays Put Thousands at Risk

Delays in giving polio vaccinations in Gaza could increase the risk of polio among children, the United Nations has warned. The United Nations agency has warned that an urgent ceasefire is needed in the Gaza Strip and that delaying the final phase of the vaccination campaign could greatly increase the risk of polio outbreaks.

The third step of the #polio vaccination campaign in the north #Gaza is delayed due to the increased violence and intense bombardment.

These conditions endanger the safety of families and the ability of health workers to act.

We must stop the outbreak of polio before more children… pic.twitter.com/P504P1eIEh

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 23, 2024

The final phase of a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, which was due to start on Wednesday, had to be postponed due to the bombings and the mass exodus. But Louise Wateridge, spokeswoman for the United Nations agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said the campaign needed to be carried out before more children were infected with polio. “It is imperative to stop the polio outbreak in Gaza before more children are paralyzed and the virus spreads,” he said.

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But attacks on Gaza settlements continue to threaten security and the movement of people. Because of this, it is not possible to vaccinate the children or the people to reach the camps safely. Since the second round of the polio vaccination campaign began on October 14, 442,855 children under the age of 10 have been successfully vaccinated in Gaza, representing 94 percent of children in the territories, according to the international news agency .

Meanwhile, more than 400,000 people are trapped in the northern region, where Israel has intensified its offensive against Hamas. Food and aid have been arriving here for more than three weeks. Access to essentials, including water, has also been blocked for refugees.

Israeli officials also rejected a request from the United Nations to deliver 23,000 liters of fuel to the northern Gaza governorate. The activities of the United Nations have been completely stopped in the governorate.

An estimated 63,000 people have been displaced from the northern Gaza governorate to Gaza City since the Israeli army offensive began on October 6. Israel has carried out violent bombings in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in recent days. There was also an explosion near Tehran International Airport. Tehran has also confirmed that Israel carried out the attack. Israel responded that they were retaliating against continued Iranian attacks. The Israel Defense Forces said they have the right to retaliate and are ready to deal with whatever Iran’s response is.

Story Highlights : Gaza faces risk of polio spread if vaccination delays continue: UN