SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 – DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA – Today the polio vaccination campaign kicked off in central Gaza. In the first phase 156,500 children under 10 years of age will be targeted. The campaign will be implemented by 513 teams across 138 different sites including hospitals, medical points, schools and community points such as water and food distribution points.
Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative, occupied Palestinian territory, World Health Organization (WHO): “Today, together with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO and many, many partners, many of the NGO partners, we target the central zone in Gaza. And we are targeting 157,000 children under 10. We will do it for three consecutive days and if needed we’ll add a day.”
Dr Deepak Kumar, Technical Officer, World Health Organization (WHO): “We are at Nusirat UNRWA Health Centre. The polio vaccination in Deir al-Balah of middle zone has started today. In this site we are seeing a lot of enthusiasm from the community. There is a lot of turnovers from the from the families and children are coming and they’re really excited to receive the vaccination from the vaccinators here. So, it’s very encouraging that the start of the campaign is quite positive.”
Mother of vaccinated children: “We came today for the polio vaccination because polio is a very serious disease, and children must be vaccinated against it. I have five children, and I brought them all for vaccination. We travelled a very long distance, and the journey was difficult. As you can see, many people are here for the vaccination as well.”
10. Various shots, vaccinator filling in paperwork, WHO, UNWRA and colleagues walking through shelter
