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January 13, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"No Serious Problems in Military Inoculations"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (01/11/03) P. A7; Vogel, Steve

A second group of military personnel underwent a round of smallpox inoculations last week, since the first round inoculations of over 170 Army medical people in December, went relatively smoothly.  No one experienced any serious complications or secondary infections, according to officials at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and they said it should reassure those civilian medical officials who are being encouraged to inoculate key personnel.  Officials at Walter Reed conducted lengthy briefings and individual health screenings to ensure that the vaccine was not given to anyone who might have conditions that would put them at heightened risk for complications.  Furthermore, prior to any patient contact, the vaccinated workers must submit to daily health evaluations until the vaccine scab falls off, to ensure that the vaccine virus is not passed on to others.

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