UN Plans to Inoculate Over Half a Million Children in Gaza with Controversial Polio Vaccine Amidst Allegations of Faked Polio "Epidemic"
In the Gaza Strip, there has been a reported outbreak of polio after a 25-year absence, with health authorities confirming that the cause is a vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) rather than a natural wild poliovirus infection.
The recent detection of a new variant of the VDPV type 2 in environmental samples collected in Gaza, along with cases of acute flaccid paralysis caused by this variant, points to the oral polio vaccine (OPV) as the source of the outbreak. The OPV, which contains weakened live virus, is typically used to eradicate polio but can sometimes lead to vaccine-derived outbreaks in populations with low immunity due to vaccine program disruptions.
Environmental monitoring in Gaza found the VDPV type 2 variant circulating, confirming the link to the oral polio vaccine rather than wild polio virus. The ongoing conflict, blockade, and poor sanitation have collapsed routine vaccination and sanitation systems, creating conditions favourable for both wild and vaccine-derived poliovirus circulation.
The UN reported a total of 6 cases of a positive polio PCR test result in sewage samples at 6 locations in July. As of the article's publication date, there are 40 cases of oral polio vaccine side effects recorded in the U.S. CDC and FDA database of vaccine adverse events, with 10 resulting in death (25%) and 30 hospitalizations. Notably, 65% of the cases were infants below the age of 6 months.
It's important to note that no person in Gaza has been treated for paralysis or other symptoms caused by polio virus infection. The oral polio vaccine was administered in Gaza in a reporting period between May 16th through May 29th, 2024, with 10,000 doses distributed. These 6 cases were admitted to be "vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2".
Plans were immediately put into effect to produce 1.6 million doses of the oral polio vaccines. The "new" oral polio vaccine, called the "novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2)", was authorized for use under the WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) in November of 2020.
While the use of the oral polio vaccine has been banned in wealthier countries such as the U.S. and Israel due to its ability to cause polio, it is still being used in many developing countries like Gaza, where routine vaccination and sanitation systems have been disrupted.
Sources:
- Health Impact News
- Tap Newswire
- Despite the ban in wealthier countries, the oral polio vaccine, which can sometimes lead to vaccine-derived outbreaks in populations with low immunity, is still being used in communities like Gaza with disrupted vaccination and sanitation systems.
- The detection of the VDPV type 2 in environmental samples in Gaza has raised concerns about health and wellness, with alternative media outlets suggesting that science and medical-conditions may be overlooked due to political circumstances.
- The UN report on the outbreak of polio after a 25-year absence in Gaza highlights the importance of truth in reporting, as it was the oral polio vaccine, and not a natural wild poliovirus infection, that caused the outbreak.
- The use of the new oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) has been authorized for use in emergency situations, as the ongoing conflict and poor sanitation have made conditions ripe for both wild and vaccine-derived poliovirus circulation in the Gaza Strip.
