In a significant move to combat polio, UNICEF has announced the commencement of a second round of vaccinations in the Gaza Strip starting on October 14. This initiative targets 590,000 children under the age of 10, aiming to strengthen the region's immunization efforts against the debilitating disease.
Humanitarian pauses have been agreed upon to facilitate the vaccination drive, ensuring that medical teams can operate safely and effectively. Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF, emphasized the importance of these pauses, stating, \"Area-specific humanitarian pauses have been agreed. It is critical that these pauses are respected by all parties. Without them, it is impossible to vaccinate the children.\"
The first round of vaccinations laid the groundwork, but the ongoing efforts are crucial to ensure that polio does not resurge in the region. By targeting nearly six hundred thousand young lives, UNICEF and its partners are making strides towards eradicating polio and safeguarding the health of Gaza's children.
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Second round of polio vaccination in Gaza to start next week: UNICEF
cgtn.com
