Polio case in Gaza prompts UN appeal for ceasefire to roll out vaccines

Gaza has reported its first case of polio in 25 years, sparking a UN appeal for a ceasefire to carry out mass vaccinations. The case involves a 10-month-old child who had not been vaccinated.

The UN is calling for two seven-day vaccination drives to administer 1.6 million doses of the nOPV2 vaccine to 640,000 children. The situation in Gaza is dire, with its water and sewage infrastructure destroyed, leading to a rise in diseases.

Currently, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries with ongoing polio transmission. The UN is coordinating efforts with the WHO, UNICEF, and UNRWA to ensure the smooth delivery and administration of vaccines.