Palestinian Health Ministry Defers Polio Vaccination Campaign in Gaza, Al Shamal Governorates

The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced Wednesday that it has postponed the second round of a polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza and Al Shamal governorates due to the ongoing Israeli offensive and the displacement of thousands of Palestinians as a result of bombardment and dispossession. Head of the campaign's technical committee, Dr. Magdy Dahir said he is constantly conferring with international organizations involved in the campaign activities to ensure its success. Currently, the number of children in the Gaza governorate and the northern area who need vaccination is 120,000, all under the age of 10. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has begun the second dose of vaccination on Oct. 14 in the southern enclave, while it will start today in northern Gaza. However, the Israeli onslaught has prevented this vaccination campaign. The ministry has resorted to vaccination following the detection of polio-infected cases due to the dire health conditions resulting from the ongoing Israeli aggression in the enclave. It noted that it has deferred the second dose of the oral polio vaccine, along with vitamin A, which enhances children's immunity, until October 28, to help them resist infections and improve vision and proper growth. Source: Qatar News Agency