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September 25, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"U.S. Guide for Mass Smallpox Vaccinations: Recipe With Missing Ingredients" New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (09/24/02) P. A17; Broad, William J.

In a commentary in the New York Times, William J. Broad notes that health experts are afraid that the unanswered questions in the federal government's smallpox vaccination plan could hurt public confidence and worsen such an event.  American Public Health Association director Dr. Mohammed Akhter indicates that state and local health departments are currently ill-prepared to carry out the plan.  Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says that the guidelines do not talk about steps other than mass vaccination that should take place if a smallpox attack occurs.  She does assert that her agency is ready to deal with deadly germ attacks.

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