UNICEF Fights Polio in Gaza as Cases Rise in Children

UNICEF Fights Polio in Gaza as Cases Rise in Children

Clare Dueweke

Staff Writer

The United Nations has implemented a three-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza to vaccinate children for polio after the first case in 25 years appeared in a 10-month-old Palestinian boy. 

According to Al Jazeera, the United Nations will have a three-phase plan with the goal of vaccinating 640,000 children throughout Central, Southern, and Northern Gaza. Phase one of the vaccine rollout began in Central Gaza on September 1 and lasted through the 3. CNN reports that Southern Gaza received vaccines from September 5 through the 8, and Northern Gaza from the 9 to the 12. During this agreed humanitarian pause, over 2,700 healthcare workers and volunteers worked from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m at various distribution centers across the area. For this plan to be successful, two doses will need to be administered with a four-week gap in between, meaning that in October, close to a year since the Hamas-Israel war began, there will need to be another humanitarian ceasefire to finalize the vaccinations. 

According to the World Health Organization, polio is a highly infectious and dangerous disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. The virus is transmitted from person to person and often spreads through sewage and other contaminated water sources. During the seven to ten-day incubation period, polio attacks the nervous system. Infected individuals often experience very mild to no symptoms, such as headache, fever, fatigue, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, or pain in the limbs. After these symptoms fade, the infected person may develop permanent paralysis in their legs or arms. 

CNN reports that in 2022, before the outbreak of war in Gaza, the polio vaccine coverage was at 99 percent within the enclaves. After the war began on October 7, 2023, many children were unable to access the routine childhood vaccinations, including polio. This is what happened to 10-month-old Abdul Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan. Niveen, Abdul Rahman’s mother, told BBC News that as a newborn, Abdul Rahman was supposed to receive his vaccinations, but after the war broke out her family was forced to relocate five times. With about 90 percent of Palestinians displaced after the war, the spread of disease can easily rise within the crowded camps. Polio has caused Abdul Rahman to become paralyzed in one of his legs, and, likely, he will never be able to walk. His mother hopes to get him out of Gaza for further treatment.

The New York Times reports the living conditions for many displaced in Gaza are the main contributor to the spread of polio. Due to Israeli attacks, Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure was destroyed and raw sewage was found near camps and areas where displaced people are living. CNN reports that the virus first appeared in June of 2023 when sewage samples in the area were tested. Since then, many Gazans have feared contracting the disease and have taken their children to one of the 400 vaccination sites in the area. 

The polio vaccination campaign has been well received and the Associated Press reports that teams have vaccinated 189,000 children so far, with many more to come. According to the UN, the biggest issue that the care teams and Gazans face is safety. Many people still travel through violent areas to receive a vaccine, putting themselves and their families at risk. BBC News also reported that due to a lack of fuel and facilities to store vaccines, many healthcare workers are struggling to administer as many doses as they can. Though this ceasefire is temporary, it has brought to light the painfully clear picture of what those affected by this war face every day. Regardless, all involved echo the same plea, a ceasefire is needed to protect the innocent children and families in Gaza.

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