Smallpox Vaccine Guidelines Readied

Washington Post ^ | 09/23/2002 | Ceci Connolly

[Pokey78]

Emergency Plan To Cover All of U.S.

Federal health officials will issue detailed guidelines today for vaccinating the entire U.S. population against smallpox within five days of an outbreak of the dreaded disease.

Intended as a blueprint for state and local health officials nationwide, the unprecedented move reveals a growing belief within the Bush administration that even one case of smallpox anywhere in the Western Hemisphere would signify a terrorist assault and should therefore trigger a far more massive response than officials had previously suggested, said two experts involved in the planning.

[Davea]

It just keeps getting stranger and stranger doesn't it? Interesting times.

[griffin]

I guess I'm wondering how long after vaccination the treatment becomes effective? And why wait?

As Arnold so poetically said in Predator, "Do it! Do it NOW!".

[Maximum Leader]

OK, Dave you did it.
You found the dumbest thing I've read all month.

Can you imagine the mass panic that will result if there is even a single case of smallpox reported (I wonder what ominious theme music the news networks will play)? It will be mess. This convuluted plan to get vaccines to "every hamlet" within 12 hours or 5 days or however long they give themselves is a delusion (lining up the translators-- thats a nice touch).

I would understand this plan if we, in fact, didn't have enough vaccinations for everyone. But since we do (the stockpiles we have now can be safely diluted to give a shot to every American), the government should give every adult an informed choice as to whether they want to be pre-vaccinated.

To the astonishment of the CDC, I'm certain 95% of the country will take their chances with the side effects and get the shot.

[shaggy eel]

~

[woofie]

I have a friend who is working in this area...his take is smallpox is worse than a nuclear threat and Saddam has it.

[goodnesswins]

What's your friend's take on "cow pox" (exposure?)

[woofie]

ping

[woofie]

ping

[Mitchell]

Ping. This is better than the ring vaccination strategy, which would have just played into terrorists' hands. But I have doubts about the ability to deliver all that vaccine as quickly as they say under crisis conditions.

Also, the economy would simply stop for that period of time. Nobody would be at work; everybody would be standing in line, waiting for their vaccination.

If vaccines were made available in advance (voluntarily), people who wanted the vaccination could get it in advance at their leisure.

In any case, I think a smallpox attack is quite unlikely, since the epidemic would spread into the third world and end up doing much more harm there than it would in the U.S. and Europe. I don't expect terrorists to use a plan that is virtually guaranteed to backfire on them.

By the way, do you know what the plans in Canada are?

[bonesmccoy]

The vaccine should boost immunity within days of proper administration. Too bad that only a few remaining doctors have any experience with the vaccine... kinda sucks when the democrats restrict free market vaccine distribution!

[bonesmccoy]

I've been posting on this issue here for months. Same opinion and same view.

[woofie]

From a NY times article;

Even if an attack occurred, widespread vaccination would minimize death and social disruption. Furthermore, the ongoing research by Jahrling and his team into less dangerous vaccines and better antiviral drugs to treat smallpox after infection should become a top priority of the CDC and the federal government.

[EternalHope]

So, tell me again what's so bad about letting civilians get vaccinated voluntarily in advance?

[bonesmccoy]

incorrect assumption. The US population is a sitting duck right now and most adults and all children are vulnerable. I posted an incredible amount of material lambasting the CDC's original "ring vaccination" strategy. I'm very pleased that the Bush people are listening. I think some of those people must even read these comments here! (gasp!... smirk!)

[woofie]

It is interesting that this is coming out now

[deport]

Thanks woofie, but I's say the goal of 5 days is a bit optimistic...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52992-2002Sep22.html .. Interesting read..

[woofie]

I sent you an article via private mail

[deport]

I guess I'm wondering how long after vaccination the treatment becomes effective?

Dr. Walter Ornstein, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Immunization Program, said diphtheria, measles and mumps are much more contagious than smallpox, which is not easily transmitted airborne -- and smallpox's obvious symptoms would key doctors into its presence quickly. The smallpox vaccine is effective even if given several days after a person is exposed to the disease.

[Savage Beast]

Western Civilization eradicated smallpox from the face of the earth. Muslim fanatics threaten to reintroduce it. Any question about what "god" these devil-worshippers serve?