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June 18, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

“Smallpox Vaccine Program for Monkeypox Attracts Few Volunteers in Wisconsin”

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (06/17/03); Rice, Jenny

In Wisconsin, few people are taking advantage of the smallpox shots that are being offered in the wake of an outbreak of monkeypox.  The disease--which had previously not been seen in the Western Hemisphere but apparently spread to the United States via an infected prairie dog--is related to smallpox, though not as deadly, and causes rashes, chills, and fever.  Nationwide, there have been 16 confirmed cases of monkeypox and 85 suspected cases, yet many people are not getting vaccinations for fear of the potentially fatal side effects of the smallpox vaccine.  A health official in Wisconsin, Herb Bostrom, noted that so far only about six people in the state have taken advantage of the shots, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that seven people in three other states have also received the smallpox vaccine to protect against monkeypox.