The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have issued an update stating that at least two rounds of orally delivered polio vaccine will be necessary to stop the transmission of the disease. This announcement comes after vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was discovered in sewage samples collected on 23 June from Khan Younis and Deir al Balah by the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) on 16 July.
In late July, three cases of paralysis were reported by health authorities in Gaza, prompting samples to be sent to Jordan for testing. The causes of acute flaccid paralysis can vary, including poliovirus, according to the WHO. However, the results for the affected individuals from north Gaza, Deir al Balah, and Khan Younis have yet to be published.
Gaza had excellent polio vaccine coverage before the war, but months of conflict have created an environment where the weakened polio virus vaccine can mutate into a stronger version capable of causing paralysis in those who are not fully immunized. The ongoing heavy fighting and insecurity in the region have raised concerns about delays in vaccine delivery and the availability of vital cold chain equipment.
The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has approved the release of 1.23 million doses of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to be used in Gaza for vaccinating over 640,500 children under 10 years old. The UN agencies are urging for humanitarian pauses to be put in place to vaccinate children and reduce the risk of transmission. They emphasize the need for safe and sustained access and protection for health workers, particularly as only a fraction of hospitals and primary healthcare facilities remain operational in Gaza.
The impact of the conflict on the health system, along with insecurity, inaccessibility, population displacement, and shortages of medical supplies, has contributed to a decrease in immunization rates. The destruction of sanitation infrastructure and poor water quality have also heightened the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks, including polio.
Routine immunization coverage for polio in Gaza has dropped from 99% in 2022 to less than 90% in the first quarter of 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. The agencies are working to address these challenges and ensure that the necessary vaccines reach the vulnerable populations in Gaza.
Overall, the situation in Gaza remains precarious, with the ongoing conflict exacerbating health risks and complicating efforts to control the spread of diseases like polio. The international community, including WHO, UNICEF, and other humanitarian organizations, continue to work tirelessly to provide essential healthcare services and support to the people of Gaza during this challenging time.
