UN Begins Emergency Vaccination Drive for 44,000 Children in Gaza

The United Nations has launched an emergency “catch-up” vaccination campaign for thousands of children in the Gaza Strip who have been deprived of routine healthcare due to the ongoing conflict.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said the initiative aims to reach around 44,000 children who have missed vital immunizations and nutrition services. The campaign is being led by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), in partnership with local health authorities.

According to Haq, the first phase of the campaign will begin on Sunday and run for 10 days, with two more rounds planned thereafter. Children will receive doses of pentavalent, polio, rota, pneumococcal, and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines.

Vaccinations will take place at nearly 150 health centres and 10 mobile clinics across the territory. Supplies, including vaccines, syringes, and cold-chain storage equipment, have already been delivered, and more than 450 health workers and 150 doctors have been trained to support the rollout.

Haq stressed that the success of the campaign depends on sustained ceasefire conditions, allowing families and medical teams to move safely and reach vaccination points.

Although aid delivery in Gaza has increased in recent weeks, Haq noted that restricted border access, damaged roads, and movement limitations are still delaying humanitarian operations.

“The humanitarian scale-up is underway, but far more support and access are urgently needed,” he added.