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February 21, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"So Far, No Serious Reactions to Smallpox Vaccine Among Civilians" Associated Press (www.ap.org) (02/21/03); Meckler, Laura

None of the over 4,000 civilians immunized against smallpox thus far in the 500,000 emergency worker and first responder target campaign have suffered serious reactions, say U.S. officials.  Experts anticipate anywhere between 15 and 50 life-threatening reactions, with one to two deaths, out of every 1 million people vaccinated, but they say that people who had been vaccinated against the disease in the past are less likely to have bad reactions.  Of the 4,213 people already vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the only reactions reported included fever, rash, malaise, itching, hypertension, and inflammation of the pharynx.  Meanwhile, out of the more than 100,000 military personnel who have already been vaccinated against smallpox, five men have experienced serious reactions; however, officials note they are all now in good condition.

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