The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday that it had discovered poliovirus contaminating water in Gaza, and had therefore brought in vaccines, both for soldiers and the general population. Vaccination for soldiers would be voluntary, it said.
In a statement, the IDF said:
Following reports of the presence of the Poliovirus in the Gaza Strip — a virus which is contagious through drinking or oral contact with contaminated water — the IDF conducted sampling tests in various areas where remnants of the Poliovirus were discovered. Based on the findings, it was decided by the IDF, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, that troops operating in the area should undergo vaccination against the virus to maintain the health of both the soldiers and Israeli citizens.
The Technological and Logistics Directorate (J4) began a broad vaccination operation for all ground troops, both regular and reserves. The vaccinations will be carried out gradually as the troops are refreshed. These vaccinations are given as part of the IDF’s responsibility towards the public and its soldiers.
In addition, the troops were instructed to carry out actions to maintain personal hygiene. It is important to emphasize that a soldier who does not want to be vaccinated will not be obliged to do so.
Alongside the vaccination operation for soldiers, the IDF is working with various organizations to bring vaccines intended for the population of the Gaza Strip into the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the war, with the cooperation of international organizations, approximately 300,000 polio vaccines have been introduced into the Gaza Strip, which are enough for over a million citizens of Gaza.
Currently, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, MG Ghassan Alian is in contact with the international community with the aim of allowing the introduction of additional polio vaccine doses for the residents of the Gaza Strip.
Polio has been eradicated in much of the world. It can cause paralysis and death. There have been fervent attempts to eradicate it, many led by the Rotary International voluntary organization, often through vaccines administered orally.
Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of “”The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days,” available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of “The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency,” now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.
Photo: file
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