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http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30F13FD385B0C718DDDAC0894DB404482

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The New York Times
Editorial Desk | May 12, 2003, Monday
Missing the Smallpox Goal

(NYT) 516 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A , Page 24 , Column 1

ABSTRACT - Editorial says campaign to vaccinate 500,000 health workers and 10 million emergency responders and other health personnel against smallpox has run into such difficulties and is so far from meeting its goals that reassessment is now in order; says prime goal of campaign remains valid, only issue is how large cadre of vaccinated personnel needs to be; notes federal health officials now suggest that 50,000 vaccinated health workers will be enough to do job; says drawing up plans for detecting and coping with any such attack after it occurs is even more important than vaccination program When the Bush administration announced plans last year to vaccinate some 500,000 health workers and then 10 million emergency responders and other health personnel against smallpox, we welcomed the initiative. With the World Trade Center attack and anthrax mailings still in mind, it seemed like a reasonable step toward protecting the nation against a possible bioterror attack. We still believe that the more health workers vaccinated the better, but the vaccination campaign has encountered such difficulties and is so far from meeting its goals that a reassessment is now in order.

There is little doubt that a vaccination campaign of some scope is desirable. The SARS epidemic offers dramatic proof of what can happen when health workers are unprotected against a contagious disease. Many health workers have become infected after treating SARS patients and then spread the virus to others, forcing some hospitals to shut down or sharply curtail their services in an effort to contain what is still a relatively limited epidemic. Just imagine what a disaster it would be if a smallpox outbreak occurred and major health institutions became centers for spreading the disease or were forced to close.



 

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.