Israel Delivers Polio Vaccines for 1M People to Gaza

Vaccination effort faces challenges amid ongoing conflict and unrest
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Aug 26, 2024 12:30 AM CDT
Israel Delivers Polio Vaccines for 1M People to Gaza
Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, walk past sewage flowing into the streets of the southern town of Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, on July 4, 2024. Israel’s military on Sunday Aug. 25, 2024 said polio vaccines for more than 1 million people had been delivered...   (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi, File)

Israel has delivered enough polio vaccines for one million people to Gaza following the territory's first confirmed polio case in 25 years. The details on how and when the more than 25,000 vials of vaccine would be administered in Gaza was not immediately clear. But aid groups have said they intend to vaccinate more than 600,000 children under age 10; the UN and WHO have called for a seven-day ceasefire to facilitate the vaccination effort.

Israel and the Un coordinated the entry of five refrigerated trucks into Gaza; the vaccines made it there on Sunday. Gaza's health system have struggled mightily, with only a fraction of hospitals and primary health facilities operationing. Over 282,000 vials have reached Gaza since October, per am Israeli statement. Prior to the conflict, Gaza had a 99% polio vaccination rate; that's now been reduced to 86%. The vaccination campaign will mobilize 2,700 workers to ensure coverage across all municipalities. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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