Israel's military has initiated a vaccination campaign to protect its soldiers against polio after the virus was detected in several wastewater samples in Gaza. Public health officials are concerned about the high risk of further spread, particularly as Gaza's children remain unvaccinated due to the ongoing assault and the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure. This setback is viewed as a significant blow to global efforts to eradicate polio.

Dr. Dorit Nitzan, professor and director of the masters program in emergency medicine-preparedness and response at Ben-Gurion University, former regional emergency director for the World Health Organization's European office, emphasized the urgency of the situation during an interview. She co-authored an article with eight Israeli doctors titled "Cease-fire. The Only Way to Prevent a Polio Epidemic Among Gazan and Israeli Babies."

Dr. Nitzan described the dire conditions faced by newborns, mothers, and children in Gaza, although she acknowledged that the situation is not firsthand known to them. The analysis of sewage samples collected from Gaza revealed the presence of vaccine-derived polio, a predictable outcome given the circumstances. She stressed that although there have been no reported cases of polio in Gaza yet, it's expected to emerge. The incubation period for polio can be lengthy, with infected individuals possibly showing no symptoms for weeks.

The Israeli government has initiated a mass vaccination campaign for its soldiers, and while they claim there are vaccines available for Palestinians, the destruction of hospitals and the overall state of the healthcare system in Gaza has severely hampered vaccination efforts. In order to prevent a worsening scenario, Dr. Nitzan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the provision of vaccines, and the establishment of good public health conditions.

For the past two decades, Gaza and the West Bank have achieved high vaccination rates with Israel's support, including polio vaccinations. However, children born just before October 7th and afterward are at risk due to the recent disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict. Dr. Nitzan emphasizes that under secure conditions, humanitarian and health workers need to reach every unvaccinated baby and adult in order to administer the necessary vaccinations. Achieving this is not possible during an ongoing war.

Dr. Nitzan further highlights that conflicts around the world have demonstrated the potential for the spread of diseases such as polio, cholera, and respiratory illnesses. She cites examples of outbreaks in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Syria, and other countries, emphasizing that these health risks transcend borders. Consequently, the urgency to vaccinate not only the children in Gaza but also Israelis and the humanitarian and health workforce involved cannot be overstated.

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the United States and prepares to address the U.S. Congress, Dr. Nitzan urges politicians to rise above political divisions. She emphasizes the need to prioritize the health and safety of children on both sides, urging an immediate ceasefire to ensure that every child has access to necessary vaccines.

The initiation of the vaccination campaign in Israel to protect soldiers against polio is a significant step to address the emerging health risk. However, urgent action and global cooperation are needed to prevent a potential polio epidemic among the vulnerable population in Gaza.