The head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reports that like in the previous two rounds of vaccinations against the poliovirus, nearly 600,000 children under 10 in Gaza are expected to receive a dose in a drive starting today and proceeding until Wednesday, Al Jazeera reports.

Philippe Lazzarini said more than 1,700 UNRWA team members will take part in the campaign, which follows the recent detection of the virus in wastewater in the enclave, putting the lives of children at risk.

The virus can cause paralysis and death in children. The first vaccination drive in Gaza started in September after a 10-month-old was paralysed by polio and experts warned the virus could quickly spread across Gaza and even to Israel and other places.