GENEVA 

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday that the UN agency is sending more than 1 million polio vaccines to the Gaza Strip. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news conference that the vaccines will be administered in the coming weeks.

"The detection of polio in wastewater in Gaza is a tell-tale sign that the virus has been circulating in the community, putting unvaccinated children at risk," said Tedros.

He underlined that absolute freedom of movement for health workers and medical equipment is needed to safely and effectively carry out the complex operations.

"A cease-fire, or at least 'days of tranquility' during preparation and delivery of the vaccination campaigns are required to protect children in Gaza from polio," he said.

The WHO expressed "extreme" concern late last month about a possible mass outbreak of polio in Gaza following the recent detection of the poliovirus in sewage.​​​​​​​