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January 03, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Vaccine Test for Children Unlikely"

New York Newsday (www.newsday.com) (12/31/02) P. A35; Ricks, Delthia

Clinical testing of the smallpox vaccine in children is unlikely to proceed.  Public comment on the issue was largely anti-testing, given the risks involved with the smallpox vaccine, including serious side effects and occasionally death.  Without a real risk of an outbreak, the National Vaccine Information Center maintains that the risks of the vaccine outweigh its rewards of preventing the illness.  The FDA says that the product will not be licensed for pediatric use if it is not tested, as there has never been any testing of the product in children and it is unknown how small a dosage is necessary to provide good results.

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