JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Palestinian Authority will purchase $8 million worth of swine flu vaccines.
The PA made the decision Wednesday following a presentation by its health minister, the Ma’an news agency reported.
Three more Palestinians were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus this week, including two who recently returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Nearly 100 West Bank Palestinians have contracted the virus so far, and a Palestinian man died Aug. 7, the first Palestinian fatality of the virus.
Thousands of Palestinians are expected to visit Mecca during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins Aug. 21. The PA Health Ministry has requested that Palestinians refrain from traveling to Mecca.
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