Gaza's Polio Vaccination Campaign Expands Amid Conflict

The second phase of a polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip has commenced, aiming to immunize over 640,000 children amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Coordinated by the World Health Organization and other international bodies, the campaign involves humanitarian pauses in fighting to facilitate safe vaccinations. Following the detection of the first polio case in 25 years, the initial round successfully vaccinated approximately 590,000 children. Israel has agreed to humanitarian pauses, allowing the vaccination teams to operate across central, southern, and northern Gaza. Despite logistical challenges due to war-induced infrastructure damage, the campaign seeks to provide complete protection against polio and includes the administration of vitamin A to enhance overall immunity among children.