WHO: Polio Vaccination In Gaza Is Hampered By Security And Access Guarantee

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that polio vaccination in the Gaza Strip cannot be started because it requires security and access guarantees.

More than 1 million doses of polio vaccine have arrived in Gaza, but WHO spokesman Margaret Harris told Anadolu vaccination could only begin once health workers' safety and access to all areas are guaranteed.

Harris menjelaskan munculnya kembali polio di Gaza-- pertama kali dalam 25 tahun terakhir--terama dibabkan oleh jatuhnya sistem kesehatan dan kerusakan lingkungan yang meluas.

"The waste water is scattered everywhere. People don't have access to the basic water and sanitation systems that usually keep them healthy," Harris said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 28.

Prior to the start of the recent conflict, he said, Gaza was one of the areas with the highest child immunization rate in the world. More than 95 percent of children have been given polio vaccines.

"Gaza will remain protected from polio if it has a strong health system and good water and sanitation," Harris said, regretting that the conflict has caused "terrible conditions" at the moment.

He also highlighted the serious risks posed by polio, especially for children, who are more likely to suffer from paralysis or even death.

"This disease can attack anyone, but children tend to have the worst impact," Harris said.

He then emphasized the urgency of vaccination of around 640,000 children at risk.

The arrival of the vaccine, facilitated by UNICEF, is a positive step, but Harris notes that vaccination cannot continue under current conditions.

"We don't have security and access guarantees. We have asked for at least a pause in fighting so we can vaccinate," he said.

Harris said the vaccination campaign, which could be completed in two or three rounds, would originally begin in late August.

"We cannot do this if there is fighting, airstrikes, and there is no way that can be passed safely," he said.