ALBAWABA - A polio vaccination campaign has been launched in the southern city of Khan Yunis, targeting children under the age of 10. The campaign comes as Israeli assaults on the region continue.
The campaign began at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, following an announcement from Gaza's Health Ministry that the initiative, organized in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and UNRWA, would run until September 12.
During a press conference, Majdi Zuhair, who heads the Vaccination Campaign Technical Committee, emphasized the campaign's extensive reach, stating, "Our goal is to vaccinate more than 90% of children across the entire Gaza Strip, from north to south."
Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan outlined the schedule for the campaign, noting that vaccinations would occur in the Deir al-Balah Governorate from September 1-4, followed by the Khan Yunis Governorate from September 5-9. The campaign will then move to Gaza City and northern Gaza from September 9-12.
The vaccination drive follows the Palestinian Ministry of Health's announcement on August 16 that the first polio case in Gaza had been detected. The situation has been exacerbated by severe water and sanitation problems in the region.
UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted the gravity of the situation on August 23, pointing out that the region is facing its first polio case in 25 years due to deteriorating hygiene conditions.
