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October 21, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Ugly Side Effects of Smallpox Vaccine Color Terror Plans"
Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) (10/21/02) P. A1; Chase, Marilyn; Hitt, Greg
Fifteen out of every million people who receive the smallpox vaccination will develop serious, often life-threatening complications, and most vulnerable for such complications are pregnant women, infants, people with eczema, and people with weakened immune systems. Federal health officials support a ring vaccination campaign and immunization of medical workers and first-responders to prepare for a possible smallpox-related bioterrorism attack. The vaccine will be made available to the general public on a voluntary basis in 2004, but the shot will be accompanied by an education campaign informing patients of potential complications. Patients with eczema or HIV will receive smallpox vaccinations only after a bioterrorism event and exposure to the illness; states will be responsible for distributing the smallpox vaccine to residents, in order to quickly vaccinate Americans within five days to seven days of exposure to the virus.
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LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
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