A total of 441,647 children, representing 69 percent of the child population in the Gaza Strip, have received the first dose of polio vaccine as of Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The vaccinated children are mainly from central and southern Gaza.
To ensure that the campaign covers more children in the strip, the health ministry has extended the four-day phase II vaccination, starting from Sept. 5, for another day.
The health ministry also announced that from Monday, the third phase of vaccinations will take place in the central-northern and northern areas of the Gaza Strip. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that approximately 150,000 children will receive the polio vaccine in the third phase.
The polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip aims to vaccinate about 640000 children, with each child, from newly born to 10 years old, receiving two doses. It has been divided into three stages, starting from Sept. 1 in the central, southern, and northern regions of Gaza.
The administration of the second vaccine dose is expected to commence in four weeks.
The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of achieving a vaccination coverage rate of at least 90 percent to prevent the spread of the disease within and beyond the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 70 pct children in Gaza receive first dose of polio vaccine
Nearly 70 pct children in Gaza receive first dose of polio vaccine
Nearly 70 pct children in Gaza receive first dose of polio vaccine
