By ggablog 
Despite the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, health workers have successfully completed the first week of the second round of polio vaccinations for children. Around 181,000 children in central Gaza received the booster dose, with the World Health Organization (WHO) aiming to vaccinate 559,000 children under 10 years old over a 12-day period ¹.
The success of the campaign is a testament to the determination of healthcare workers and the demand for the vaccine from families. Nahed Abu Iyada, a senior health program officer with CARE, noted that families had been eagerly awaiting the second round of vaccinations, with some arriving at clinics as early as 7 am ¹.
However, concerns remain about the next phase of vaccinations in north and south Gaza, scheduled to begin on October 21. An Israeli military blockade in northern Gaza has left thousands trapped, and Israel has not confirmed a humanitarian ceasefire to allow vaccinations to proceed safely ¹.