Vaccination will be carried out in 149 health facilities and through 10 mobile units throughout the Gaza Strip. UN agencies conduct child vaccination campaign in Gaza Strip Health
The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) are conducting a comprehensive catch-up campaign in Gaza to reach the 44,000 children who have been deprived of life-saving health services, including routine immunizations, nutritional support and growth monitoring, as a result of two years of conflict.
Before the conflict, there were 54 immunization sites in Gaza, and the region was among the world leaders in childhood vaccination coverage.
The campaign began on the 10th and will last until November 18th. Providing the necessary medical care to such a large number of children directly depends on the parties’ compliance with the complete ceasefire. A lasting truce will ensure families, health workers and aid workers have free and safe access to vaccination sites.
After two years of endless violence that has killed more than 20,000 children, we finally have the opportunity to protect those who survived
“After two years of endless violence that has claimed the lives of more than 20,000 children, we finally have the opportunity to protect the survivors,” said Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF Special Representative for the State of Palestine. – Vaccinating every child, supporting his health and providing him with nutrition is not just a humanitarian measure, it is a moral duty. This is how we protect the future of children born into this disaster and begin to restore hope among the ruins.”
Unicef will deliver 11 types of vaccines, syringes, medical equipment and nutritional supplements to the Gaza Strip through three phases of the campaign. Vaccination will be carried out in 149 health facilities and through 10 mobile units throughout the Gaza Strip.
This is how we protect the future of children born in real disaster
UNICEF is still working to rebuild 15 medical centers, and WHO – 20 health facilities. WHO is also providing ongoing support to local authorities to maintain health facilities, supplies of medicines and vaccinations, rehabilitate the central laboratory in Gaza and expand efforts to strengthen surveillance.
The campaign is being conducted in close collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and local health partners, with funding from the Gavi Vaccine Alliance.