Gaza: Polio campaign reaches 94,000 children in besieged north
2024-11-04 12:00
A polio vaccination campaign has reached 94,000 children in the besieged northern Gaza Strip, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday.
The campaign, which began on Monday, aims to vaccinate all children under the age of five against the paralyzing disease.
UNICEF said the campaign was “a major success” and that it was “the first time that a polio vaccination campaign has been carried out in the northern Gaza Strip since 2014.”
The northern Gaza Strip is home to some 350,000 people, who have been living under a strict Israeli blockade since 2007. The blockade has severely restricted the movement of people and goods in and out of the area, and has led to a chronic shortage of essential supplies, including medicines and vaccines.
The polio vaccination campaign was made possible by a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza. The ceasefire was brokered by Egypt and is expected to last for at least five days.
UNICEF said that the campaign was “a critical step towards protecting the children of Gaza from polio.” The organization also called on all parties to the conflict to “ensure that all children in Gaza have access to the essential health services they need.”
Polio is a highly contagious disease that can cause paralysis and even death. The virus is spread through contact with infected feces or saliva.
There is no cure for polio, but the disease can be prevented by vaccination. The polio vaccine is safe and effective, and it is one of the most important vaccines for children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all children receive at least four doses of the polio vaccine. The first dose should be given at birth, the second dose at six weeks, the third dose at 12 weeks, and the fourth dose at 18 months.
Polio has been eradicated from most of the world, but it is still a threat in some countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria.
Gaza: Polio campaign reaches 94,000 children in besieged north
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Peace and Security a new article on 2024-11-04 12:00 titled “Gaza: Polio campaign reaches 94,000 children in besieged north”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
12