The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has commenced a critical mass vaccination campaign targeting young children across the Gaza Strip.
The initiative aims to close dangerous immunity gaps caused by two years of severe conflict and disrupted health services.
UNRWA Teams To Reach Every Child In Gaza
According to a post on X, UNRWA said the second round of the coordinated catch-up campaign, led by UNICEF, UNRWA, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Gaza Ministry of Health, runs from 18 to 29 January 2026. It specifically seeks to vaccinate all children under three years old against a host of preventable diseases.
Officials state that the campaign is vital as overcrowding, winter conditions, poor sanitation, and heavy rainfall significantly increase the risk of deadly disease outbreaks among the vulnerable population.
A statement from the coordinating agencies revealed that 170 vaccination teams will operate from 129 health facilities. Authorities have also deployed seven mobile teams to immunise children in hard-to-reach communities.
“The partners mobilised more than 250 social mobilisers to ensure families bring their eligible children for protection.”
This round builds on a first phase held in November 2025, which successfully vaccinated over 14,000 children against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, polio, and pneumonia.
Agencies also noted that nearly a quarter of those children had missed all prior scheduled vaccines, highlighting the severe disruption to routine healthcare.
UNICEF procured all vaccines and essential cold-chain equipment for three full campaign rounds prior to the initial phase. The agency also trained over 450 health workers and support staff alongside WHO and the Ministry of Health.
UNRWA Campaign Proceeds Amidst Strain on Shattered Health System
The vaccination drive continues against a backdrop of a severely strained healthcare system.
Findings by Charity Journal indicate that since the onset of the current ceasefire, conflict-related incidents have killed 449 people. This included over 100 children, and injured 1,246 others, further burdening medical facilities.
Currently, only about half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals function partially. Efforts to rebuild diagnostic capacity also face hurdles due to delays in admitting laboratory equipment classified as ‘dual-use’.
WHO and UNICEF reiterated an urgent call for the sustained protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the timely entry of vital medical supplies, including equipment for cold-chain systems. The agencies appealed to all parties to respect the ceasefire and work towards lasting peace.
Additionally, the campaign, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, plans a third and final round in April 2026 to ensure children complete their full vaccination courses and to help restore routine immunisation services permanently.
In a related development, UNICEF says learning kits will reach 350,000 children in Gaza, marking a rare educational intervention after prolonged access restrictions.
Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting Palestinians to build safer, healthier communities in Gaza amid the ceasefire. For two devastating years, war has torn through Gaza, upending the lives of Palestinians and destroying properties.
