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May 8, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Studies Cite Smallpox Vaccine Tradeoff"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (05/08/02) P. A3; Okie, Susan

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan has found that a mass smallpox vaccination campaign in the United States would kill hundreds of people but would save thousands of lives in the event of an outbreak of the disease. The study, conducted by pediatricians Mathew M. Davis and Alex R. Kemper, found that a mass vaccination of Americans between the ages of one and 29 would result in 1,200 cases of eczema vaccinatum, 420 cases of progressive vaccinia, and 175 cases of encephalitis, leading to a total of 190 deaths.  The two researchers are hoping that their study will play a major role in the current national debate about whether or not Americans should be offered smallpox vaccinations.  Infectious disease experts who are acting as consultants to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta will shortly begin drafting recommendations about who should receive the smallpox vaccine.  A number of public meetings will be held this month to discuss whether emergency personnel should be vaccinated and whether people living in the United States should be offered the vaccine on a voluntary basis.  According to Kemper, even if a mass vaccination campaign were to be launched in the United States, up to a quarter of all Americans would be ineligible to get the shots because of pre-existing medical problems.

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.