The Gaza Strip will launch a second round of polio vaccinations starting October 14, aiming to protect 590,000 children under age 10, UNICEF announced Thursday. Humanitarian pauses have been negotiated to ensure safe access for health workers amid ongoing tensions.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the urgency:
\"Area-specific pauses are critical. Without them, vaccinating children becomes impossible.\"
The campaign follows an initial round delayed by conflict, with polio posing renewed risks due to disrupted healthcare infrastructure.
The effort highlights the fragile balance between emergency healthcare and geopolitical realities. Vaccination teams will deploy across neighborhoods under time-bound agreements—a race against both the clock and rising regional health concerns. 🌍⚕️
