Gaza - September 05, 2024

Storyline:
A new round of polio vaccinations in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, aiming to immunize about 590,000 children under the age of 10, is set to begin on Oct. 14, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell posted on social media that the second round of polio vaccination in the Gaza Strip has been confirmed, which will start on Oct. 14 to vaccinate around 590,000 children under 10, noting that area-specific humanitarian pauses have been agreed.

This new round of vaccination followed what the World Health Organization (WHO) reported great success in the first round of the vaccination effort in Gaza, which concluded in mid-September.

The need for this campaign rose after Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years in August. The WHO announced on Aug 29 that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the vaccination effort.

The oral polio vaccine requires two doses, administered four weeks apart.

Around 560,000 children under 10 years old were vaccinated against polio during the first round of the vaccination campaign conducted in three phases during Sept. 1-12, 2024 in the Gaza Strip.

The first phase of the vaccination campaign covered central Gaza, including Deir al-Balah and the refugee camps of al-Nuseirat, al-Maghazi and al-Bureij. The second phase began on Sept. 5 in Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, followed by the start of the third phase in northern Gaza on Sept. 9.

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is an acute infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily affecting children under five. It can lead to paralysis or death in severe cases. With no cure available, vaccination remains the most effective and economical method of prevention.

Shotlist:
FILE: Al-Mawasi, Gaza Strip Sept. 5, 2024:
1. Poster of polio vaccinations;
FILE: Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - Sept 1, 2024:
2. Various of children receiving polio vaccination;
3. Various of parents, children waiting in lines for polio vaccination;
FILE: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - Aug 31, 2024:
4. Various of people transferring, preparing vaccines;
5. People at hospital; poster on wall.

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