Polio Vaccination Campaign Launches in Gaza

A vaccination campaign to inoculate 640,000 Palestinian children against polio has commenced in Gaza, following the first reported case in 25 years. The World Health Organization announced the campaign would officially begin on Sunday after initial vaccinations started a day earlier, with efforts facilitated by temporary pauses in fighting agreed upon with Israel. These humanitarian pauses aim to allow healthcare workers access to administer the vaccine amid ongoing military operations, which have severely impacted the region's healthcare system. Health officials warn of potential undetected cases and emphasize the urgency of the vaccination campaign due to deteriorating sanitary conditions. The campaign is critical as the presence of the virus, coupled with the devastation from conflict, poses a significant risk of an outbreak. Local health authorities assert that a comprehensive cease-fire is necessary to ensure the campaign's success and reach all targeted children.