GAZA — The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that polio vaccinations for children in central Gaza have exceeded targets within the first two days of its immunization campaign.

According to Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the Palestinian territories, 161,030 children under the age of 10 were vaccinated on Sunday and Monday, surpassing the initial projection of 156,500.

The higher numbers were attributed to an underestimation of the densely packed population in the area.

The vaccination campaign follows the agreement between Israel and Hamas for localized pauses in fighting, allowing health workers to administer vaccines after Gaza confirmed its first polio case in 25 years last month, leaving a 10-month-old partially paralyzed.

The first stage of the three-part pause began on Sunday in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, with future stages planned in Rafah and northern Gaza, including Gaza City.

Dr. Peeperkorn stated that the campaign aims to vaccinate 640,000 children in total, with a goal to reach at least 90% to prevent local and international polio transmission.

The re-emergence of polio in Gaza has been linked to disruptions in child vaccination programs and the significant damage to water and sanitation systems caused by ongoing conflict.

Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized the critical need to reach children in areas outside the agreed zones and confirmed negotiations were ongoing to ensure access.

Polio, which spreads primarily through contaminated water and sewage, can cause severe health issues, including paralysis and death, particularly among children under five.

The campaign aims to halt the spread of the virus in Gaza and prevent it from reaching neighboring countries. — Agencies