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September 4, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Smallpox Vaccination for Medical Workers Proposed"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (09/04/02) P. A1; Connolly, Ceci

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson says that he has given the White House a plan that includes a multiphase smallpox vaccination program for the emergency medical personnel who would be at highest risk during a bioterrorist attack.  He adds that he is working on resolving the regulatory, legal, and ethical challenges involved while waiting for the president's decision, and he is urging the Food and Drug Administration to license the old stocks of the smallpox vaccine quickly.  A federal advisory panel recommended in June that each state have voluntary vaccinations for small medical teams, estimating the number of vaccinations at no more than 20,000, but in July two top HHS bioterrorism experts said the number could exceed 500,000.  If the plan is approved, state health officials will determine who is offered the smallpox vaccine, but until the vaccine is licensed, it requires the signing of a consent form because of the risks of severe side effects.

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