The second phase of the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza has successfully concluded, with a remarkable vaccination rate of over 90% for children, according to the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).
A total of 1,107,541 vaccinations were administered across the region, reaching children from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, COGAT outlined the distribution process and its collaboration with international humanitarian organizations.
The campaign, which took place during carefully coordinated humanitarian pauses, was carried out in close partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
The vaccination effort was aimed at preventing the spread of polio, a highly contagious disease that poses a significant public health risk in conflict zones where medical infrastructure is often compromised.
The breakdown of the vaccination coverage shows a wide-reaching impact across Gaza. In the northern region, 211,170 children were vaccinated, while 379,361 received the vaccine in central Gaza, and 517,070 children in the southern region.
COGAT emphasized that the scale of the operation was possible only with the joint efforts of various aid organizations, which facilitated the entry of essential medical resources into Gaza, including vaccines, medical equipment, and refrigeration systems to ensure proper storage and distribution.
The IDF, in coordination with COGAT, played a central role in the operation, delivering over 355,000 vials of the polio vaccine into the Gaza Strip. These vaccines have the potential to protect nearly 5 million people from the deadly disease.
In addition to the polio vaccines, more than 619,000 vaccines against other diseases were also brought into Gaza, further boosting efforts to control the spread of preventable illnesses in the region. This could potentially safeguard over 5.6 million civilians against various health threats, according to COGAT’s report.
The vaccination campaign comes at a critical time for Gaza, where ongoing conflict and challenges to healthcare infrastructure have made it difficult to implement widespread public health measures.
The successful delivery and administration of vaccines have been heralded as a significant achievement, ensuring that young children, the most vulnerable group, are protected from polio.
Despite the challenges of operating in such a volatile environment, COGAT’s partnership with global health agencies and the cooperation of various organizations have been instrumental in overcoming logistical hurdles.
The smooth execution of the campaign underlines the importance of coordinated international efforts in addressing public health emergencies, particularly in regions impacted by conflict and instability.
COGAT’s announcement also highlights the continuing humanitarian efforts to mitigate the impact of the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
As health professionals continue to work on the ground, the successful vaccination campaign serves as a reminder of the importance of global cooperation in combating infectious diseases and ensuring the well-being of children in conflict zones.
With the vaccination campaign now complete, efforts are expected to continue to monitor the situation and ensure that children and families in Gaza remain protected from the threat of polio and other preventable diseases.