Gaza - Ma'an - Since the early morning hours, with their brightly colored clothes and eager faces, hundreds of children lined up at the gate of the Fathi Arafat Center affiliated with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in the center of Deir al-Balah, waiting nervously to receive the polio vaccine. They were greeted by 'angel soldiers' - doctors, nurses, midwives, and administrators - who had been preparing for this moment for weeks. With their gentle smiles and endless patience, they calmed the children's fears and administered the vaccine to them with love and understanding, in a scene of humanity and care, as the community came together to ensure a healthy and safe future for its children. Children will be vaccinated at the Fathi Arafat Center over three days, starting from 7 am to 3 pm. These efforts come within the context of the national campaign for vaccination against polio to ensure that the vaccine reaches the largest possible number of children in different regions. It is worth noting that some of the Palestinian Red Crescent's field teams were planning to move between camps and displacement centers to provide vaccinations to children, but Israel's prevention of vaccination campaigns in some areas, such as Al-Maghazi, Al-Bureij, Al-Masdar and Khan Yunis, prevented this goal from being achieved. This ban has hampered efforts to reach children in these areas, leaving many unprotected against polio, raising concerns about the disease spreading in the most vulnerable areas. Excellent turnout for vaccination Dr. Mohammed Abu Rahma, Director of Primary Clinics at the Red Crescent Society, said: The polio vaccination campaign is taking place in two stages. Today, the children received the first dose of the vaccine, which aims to enhance their immunity against the virus. Children are scheduled to return for the second dose after 21 days, with the distribution of doses aimed at ensuring enhanced vaccine effectiveness and sustainable protection for children against polio. The two doses together help provi de stronger and longer immunity against the disease. Abu Rahma stressed that the vaccine is safe and effective, calling on all parents to bring their children to receive the vaccine, describing the turnout on the first day as excellent, reflecting the community's awareness of the importance of vaccination and their concern for the health of their children. Source: Maan News Agency