The World Health Organization (WHO), announced that the final phase of a polio vaccine campaign in two stages will resume on Saturday in north Gaza.
The UN agencies postponed the second phase in October due to intense Israeli bombardments and mass displacement in the region.
Gaza recorded its first polio case in 25 years, in August. A baby boy was paralyzed. This prompted the launch of the program.
The immunisations will resume soon, as 15 UN and humanitarian organizations have described the situation as “apocalyptic”, nearly a month since an Israeli ground offensive began.
WHO reported that a humanitarian pause has been agreed to allow the vaccinations to resume in Gaza City.
The agency stated that approximately 15,000 children aged under 10 in towns in north Gaza such as Jabalia and Beit Lahia will not be vaccinated because they are “still inaccessible”. This will compromise the effectiveness of the campaign.
The WHO aimed to give 119,000 local children a second dose oral polio vaccination.
The agency added that it is “unlikely” to achieve this target due to the access constraints.
Between 1 and 12 Septembre, the first round of the vaccination campaign reached 559,000 children aged under 10 years in three phases, south, central, and north Gaza. During this time, Israel and Palestinian groups agreed on local “humanitarian breaks”.
According to the WHO, the area covered by the latest humanitarian pause has “substantially reduced” in comparison to the first round. It is now only Gaza City.
Medical experts warned that delays in administering a second dose of polio vaccine could undermine efforts to stop the spread of the potentially deadly, contagious disease.
To stop the spread of the virus, 90% of children must receive a minimum two doses.
The UN human rights chief stated last week that Gaza’s “darkest moments” are unfolding in the northern part of the territory. Israel has said it has been conducting a ground offensive since early October to prevent Hamas fighters re-grouping.
WHO reported that at least 100,000 people were forced to flee north Gaza and move into Gaza City in order to be safe.
In a joint statement released by UN agencies including the WHO on Friday, the situation was described as “apocalyptic” with the entire Palestinian community in the area “at immediate risk of death from disease, violence and famine”.