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May 20, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Smallpox Strategy Up for Debate"

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com/ajc)

(05/18/02) P. 5A; McKenna, M.A. J.

Experts from around the country will meet in daylong public and scientific forums sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to gather opinions about a proposed national smallpox immunization campaign.  Controversy surrounds the vaccine because it is purported to have widespread and possibly fatal side effects.  No one has been vaccinated against the disease since 1980, save lab workers and CDC rapid response teams, and stockpiles of the original vaccine exist only in the U.S. and Russia.  Since scientists have already determined that enough vaccine could be produced from the original supply to inoculate the entire U.S. population.  Dr. Anthony Fauci, lead bioterrorism researcher for the federal government, and other prominent scientists have declared that the time is right for a national debate on the issue.  An Atlanta conference is scheduled for those people who would be inoculated first: first responders, physicians, and state and local health officials.  Public meetings in New York, San Francisco, San Antonio, St. Louis, and Washington, DC., are to follow.

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