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March 5, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"'Dream Team' of Scientists Prepares for Worst"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (03/05/03) P. A19; Connolly, Ceci

A group of counterterrorism experts have been warning about various scenarios for years, but not until autumn 2001 did the Department of Health and Human Services really begin paying attention.  Now a "dream team" of scientists has joined up to create an Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness to supervise emergency response and long-range protection planning.  Currently, the office is advised by epidemiologist D.A. Henderson, with Jerome Hauer as acting assistant secretary.  The group analyzes intelligence data to make threat lists and possible countermeasures such as vaccines and detection systems, with smallpox and anthrax high on the list.  Two of the team members are concentrating on vaccines and treatments, and while they are pleased with the production of smallpox vaccine and work on safer vaccines, they cite the need for vaccines against other deadly agents, such as Ebola and tularemia, and express concern about the potential for new man-made organisms.

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