![A Palestinian child receives a polio vaccination at a UNRWA clinic as part of the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign for children under 10 years old in the central governorate in cooperation with the World Health Organization, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on October 14, 2024 [Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/AA-20241015-35917036-35917028-2ND_POLIO_VACCINATION_CAMPAIGN_CONTINUES_IN_GAZA.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Israel’s prevention of the implementation of the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza leaves thousands of children at risk and could reverse progress made in this area, the Palestinian Ministry of Health warned today.
Not inoculating children in Gaza could lead to the spread of polio virus to neighbouring countries and would negatively affect global efforts to eradicate the disease, the ministry added.
The Ministry of Health announced that it had decided to implement the third phase of the national polio vaccination campaign in Gaza City on Saturday, after Israel obstructed and prevented its implementation in north Gaza provinces last week.
“According to data on the security situation in North Gaza Governorate, the campaign will be implemented in Gaza Governorate only, next Saturday, November 2, 2024.”
It confirmed that it will spare no effort to implement a special campaign for children in the northern governorate when appropriate conditions allow.
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