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The occurrence of the circulating variant type 2 poliovirus (cVDPV2) in the Gaza Strip, following a 25-year polio-free period, underscores the complex link between public health and peace, in line with The Lancet's Commission report on peaceful societies (1).
This health situation, which occurred and is further amplified by the ongoing conflict, is an example of how peace and health are intrinsically linked (2). The destroyed health services infrastructure and continuous attacks on healthcare providers and populations have exacerbated the spread of diseases like polio but have also created a setting where routine immunization becomes impossible (3,4). The result is children vulnerable to polio, other vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, and a host of other health issues aggravated by the deteriorating conditions (4). With the poliovirus strain detected in Gaza linked to a variant last seen in Egypt in 2023, there is a real threat of the virus spreading further, potentially sparking new outbreaks in neighboring countries. This underscores the need for a coordinated, global response that includes vaccination efforts but, more importantly, renewed commitments to peace and stability in the region.
While the first polio vaccination round, including the Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, and UNRWA targeted over 640,000 children under ten for vaccination, representing a huge undertaking, requiring logistical and supply chain coordination and partnership, these efforts are vulnerable in conflict-settings (3). The efforts are critical to preventing a full-scale polio outbreak and protecting children from devastating diseases; they are about securing a healthier future for the children of Gaza and beyond. However, their future success depends upon the cessation of hostilities. (2).
The WHO and UNICEF's call for a seven-day humanitarian pause in the conflict is a plea rooted in the recognition that peace, even temporary, is essential for the effective delivery of health services (2). In the 1980s, humanitarian pauses and one-day truces were negotiated in El Salvador for immunization against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases (4). Decades later, we have evidence that we can harness the peace dividends through health (1,5). A ceasefire would allow the vaccination campaign to proceed and provide an opportunity to discuss and negotiate peace and the efforts needed to rebuild the health system, restore routine immunization programs, and strengthen disease surveillance.
Beyond the the spread of the virus threat, the broader conditions that have allowed it to resurface, such as displacement, poverty, and the broken health system due to conflict, demand urgent attention. As the United Nations adopted the "Pact for the Future" in New York, the health situation in Gaza sends a powerful message: peace and health are inseparable. The global community must unite, act decisively, and emphasize the critical need for sustained peace to ensure global health security and development, and securing the health of Gaza’s children and ensuring the region stability. The time to act is now.
Authors declaration
We declare no competing interests.
The views expressed in this are those of the authors and do not represent the views and or policies of the organization they are affiliated with.
Humanitarian pause for polio vaccination in Gaza: a call for peace
Dear
The occurrence of the circulating variant type 2 poliovirus (cVDPV2) in the Gaza Strip, following a 25-year polio-free period, underscores the complex link between public health and peace, in line with The Lancet's Commission report on peaceful societies (1).
This health situation, which occurred and is further amplified by the ongoing conflict, is an example of how peace and health are intrinsically linked (2). The destroyed health services infrastructure and continuous attacks on healthcare providers and populations have exacerbated the spread of diseases like polio but have also created a setting where routine immunization becomes impossible (3,4). The result is children vulnerable to polio, other vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, and a host of other health issues aggravated by the deteriorating conditions (4). With the poliovirus strain detected in Gaza linked to a variant last seen in Egypt in 2023, there is a real threat of the virus spreading further, potentially sparking new outbreaks in neighboring countries. This underscores the need for a coordinated, global response that includes vaccination efforts but, more importantly, renewed commitments to peace and stability in the region.
While the first polio vaccination round, including the Palestinian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, and UNRWA targeted over 640,000 children under ten for vaccination, representing a huge undertaking, requiring logistical and supply chain coordination and partnership, these efforts are vulnerable in conflict-settings (3). The efforts are critical to preventing a full-scale polio outbreak and protecting children from devastating diseases; they are about securing a healthier future for the children of Gaza and beyond. However, their future success depends upon the cessation of hostilities. (2).
The WHO and UNICEF's call for a seven-day humanitarian pause in the conflict is a plea rooted in the recognition that peace, even temporary, is essential for the effective delivery of health services (2). In the 1980s, humanitarian pauses and one-day truces were negotiated in El Salvador for immunization against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases (4). Decades later, we have evidence that we can harness the peace dividends through health (1,5). A ceasefire would allow the vaccination campaign to proceed and provide an opportunity to discuss and negotiate peace and the efforts needed to rebuild the health system, restore routine immunization programs, and strengthen disease surveillance.
Beyond the the spread of the virus threat, the broader conditions that have allowed it to resurface, such as displacement, poverty, and the broken health system due to conflict, demand urgent attention. As the United Nations adopted the "Pact for the Future" in New York, the health situation in Gaza sends a powerful message: peace and health are inseparable. The global community must unite, act decisively, and emphasize the critical need for sustained peace to ensure global health security and development, and securing the health of Gaza’s children and ensuring the region stability. The time to act is now.
Authors declaration
We declare no competing interests.
The views expressed in this are those of the authors and do not represent the views and or policies of the organization they are affiliated with.
References:
1. Percival V, Thoms OT, Oppenheim B, Rowlands D, Chisadza C, Fewer S, et al. The Lancet Commission on peaceful societies through health equity and gender equality. Lancet [Internet]. 2023 Sep; Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S014067362301348X
2. WHO. Humanitarian pauses vital for critical polio vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/16-08-2024-humanitarian-pauses-vital-for-c...
3. United Nations. UN upholds safety and efficacy of Gaza polio vaccine [Internet]. Available from: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/08/1153641
4. De Quadros CA, Epstein D. Health as a bridge for peace: PAHO’s experience. Lancet. 2002;360(SUPPL. 1).
5. Al Mandhari A, Ghaffar A, Etienne CF. Harnessing the peace dividends of health. BMJ Glob Heal [Internet]. 2021 Jun 9;6(6):e006287. Available from: https://gh.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006287
Competing interests: No competing interests