• Abdul Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan, an 11 month old boy, who presented with the complaints of paralysis of both limbs, is the first confirmed case of Polio in the last 25 years detected in Gaza.

• The campaign involving 2700 healthworkers, aims to immunize 640,000 children in Gaza.

• 2 drops of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) will be administered to children under 10 years

• It has been rolled out in 3 phases:

Central Gaza:

• September 1-3

• 187,000 children were immunized, crossing the initial target of 1,57000.

• Conducted by 513 teams, consisting of over 2180 health and community outreach workers.

• Vaccination was provided at 143 fixed sites while mobile teams visited tents and hard to-reach areas and special missions were sent to areas just outside of the agreed zone for the humanitarian pause.

Southern Gaza:

• September 5-8, extended for 1 day.

• Targets 340000 children.

•  Some 517 teams, including 384 mobile teams, will be deployed.

Nouthern Gaza:

• September 9-12

• Targets 150000 children.

• In order to prevent re-emergence and international spread of disease a 90% vaccination coverage during each round is needed.

• Possible reasons for the re-emergence of the disease include interruption of routine immunization services and insanitary living conditions as a result of the war.

• Both sides of the war have agreed for a ceasefire between 6 am to 9 pm everyday to allow health centres to carry out the campaign. A demarcated humanitarian corridor has been identified for the ceasefire where uninterrupted vaccination drives can be undertaken.

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