The United Arab Emirates has initiated an urgent vaccination drive in the Gaza Strip aimed at safeguarding over 640,000 children against the threat of polio. This initiative comes after a directive from President Sheikh Mohamed, who provided $5 million following the reappearance of the virus in the area. The campaign, which commenced on Sunday, involves a partnership between the UAE, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNRWA, beginning in central Gaza and progressively extending to the southern and northern regions of the Strip. The objective is to inoculate 90% of the children to guarantee their protection from the disease.
Volunteers from Operation 'Gallant Knight 3' have been instrumental in organizing and supporting vaccination sites, aiding families and children, and contributing to the campaign's success in achieving its goals. Considering the significant challenges Gaza is confronting, such as population displacement and the degradation of health systems and water and sanitation networks, this campaign is an essential measure to prevent the spread of epidemics and safeguard future generations. It is worth noting that in August, the World Health Organization confirmed the first case of polio in the Strip in 25 years, underscoring the critical nature of this campaign to protect Gaza’s children.
Over 2,100 health workers, including mobile health teams, are engaged in the campaign to ensure that the vaccine reaches all targeted children during humanitarian pauses.
