The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and partners, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, have launched a large-scale catch-up vaccination and nutrition campaign targeting 44,000 children in the Gaza Strip, where two years of conflict have left many cut off from essential healthcare.
The first phase of the campaign runs from 9–18 November and will provide multiple doses of Pentavalent, Polio, Rota, Pneumococcal, and MMR vaccines.
With an estimated one in five children under three unvaccinated, the initiative seeks to prevent outbreaks of deadly but avoidable diseases such as measles, polio, and pneumonia.
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Alongside immunization, children will be screened for malnutrition. Those suffering from moderate or severe acute malnutrition will receive treatment at WHO-supported stabilization centres.
“After two years of relentless violence that claimed the lives of more than 20,000 children in the Gaza Strip, we finally have an opportunity to protect those who survived,” said Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF’s Special Representative in the State of Palestine.
More than 450 health workers have been trained to support the effort across 149 health facilities and 10 mobile units. WHO and UNICEF are also rehabilitating damaged health centres and expanding cold chain capacity to maintain vaccine safety.
Before the conflict, Gaza achieved a 98% vaccination rate.
Following the statement shared Wednesday, it noted that with over half of its 54 immunization centres damaged or destroyed, coverage has fallen below 70%.
WHO’s Dr Richard Peeperkorn described the campaign as “a lifeline for children and a crucial step in rebuilding Gaza’s shattered health system.”
The campaign’s success depends on safe humanitarian access and a sustained ceasefire. Supported financially by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, two additional campaign rounds are scheduled for 2025 December and 2026 January.
