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November 27, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Phased Plan Likely For Smallpox Shots"

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

(11/27/02) P. 3A; McKenna, M.A.J.

President Bush could approve as early as next week a plan to vaccinate Americans against the smallpox disease in stages, starting with 500,000 hospital workers and emergency-response teams; however, pressure from Republican lawmakers to allow access to the vaccine to all Americans at the same time could change his mind.  The White House is deciding between three smallpox vaccination scenarios, which were submitted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Defense.  The three scenarios involve: only vaccinating 500,000 emergency response teams; vaccinating 10 million hospital workers, police, fire, and emergency technicians; or vaccinating all Americans at the same time.  The decision is difficult, because the smallpox vaccine is known for its adverse reactions that could prove fatal for two people out of every 1 million vaccinated.  The president is leaning towards vaccinating 500,000 people first, because it will give them time to judge the severity of adverse events associated with the vaccination before releasing it to the general public.

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