The WHO has reached an agreement with Israel for temporary pauses in fighting in Gaza to allow polio vaccinations for 640,000 children after the first polio case in 25 years was confirmed.

The campaign will begin on September 1 in central Gaza, with daily pauses from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three days, extendable by one day if necessary.

Similar pauses will follow in southern and northern Gaza.

Coordinated with Israeli authorities, the effort involves over 2,100 health workers aiming to vaccinate at least 90% of children to prevent the virus’s spread, CBS News has reported.

The campaign responds to unsanitary conditions caused by ongoing conflict, which has disrupted routine immunizations.

Written by B.C. Begley