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Smallpox vaccination in USA, Canada, France and UK
Pravda ^ | 112/04/02 | Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

Posted on 12/03/2002 4:37:57 PM PST by Heartlander2

One day after the British authorities announced a mass vaccination programme against smallpox, the USA, France and Canada has confirmed plans to carry out a large-scale inoculation project against the same disease.

Worried that their countries would not be prepared in the event of a bioterrorism attack, the governments of these countries have advanced contingency plans to carry out a vaccination programme. IN the UK, the British government is in negotiations with the pharmaceutical company Aventis, which will supply 10,000,000 doses of the vaccine. In France, the Health Ministry has confirmed that there are plans to inoculate the front-line health and emergency workers at short notice, while the whole population would be vaccinated within two weeks.

Meanwhile, in the USA, the Bush Administration plans to vaccinate a million front-line military personnel, in a first phase, while a further ten million workers (police, healthcare staff) would be inoculated in a second phase. In Canada there are also plans for a mass inoculation programme for front-line emergency workers.

The vaccine would later be available for people who wanted to be inoculated on a voluntary basis in the USA and the UK. The vaccination can cause serious side effects for those who already have weak immune systems and so it would not be advisable for the chronically ill. One to three people per million die from side effects of the vaccination.

However, the death rate from the disease, were a massive outbreak to occur, would be around 30% of those infected, while many others would suffer from lifelong complications such as blindness. The illness begins with fever, tiredness, and backache, symptoms not unlike those of influenza. A rash appears within 2 to 4 days and evolves from spots, firstly, to hard bumps, to blisters then to pustules and finally crusts, initially on the palms of hands and soles of feet, later spreading to the arms and legs and finally, all over the body.

It is not yet clear why the sudden rush has taken place in four separate countries, all of them pressing for vaccine for the same disease. Either an intelligence report has appeared confirming that something has gone missing from a laboratory or a warning has been made. To date, there is no official confirmation or denial of either option.


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To: Prodigal Son
He did call for ending smallpox vaccinations in Britain, arguing that smallpox was so rare in Britain that the vaccine killed more than the disease itself. But keep in mind- this was 1962 when he spoke out.

Keep in mind, wisdom comes in later years...

21 posted on 12/03/2002 8:02:06 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: Prodigal Son
A medical professional who equates these practices is being intellectually dishonest.

How so?

22 posted on 12/03/2002 8:03:01 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: FormerLurker
Facts don't lie. It is finding those facts that elude most.

Meaning?

My criticism was the same as muawiyah's. The way you posted your point tended to take away credence from what you were driving at. Posting quotes taken out of context like that is a form of propaganda- it's routine in politics and it's become routine lately with the politicization of science- ie Kyoto, genetically modified food etc.

It doesn't help people make informed decisions- rather it muddies the waters of debate.

Nobody's telling you to run out and get a smallpox vaccine. I personally don't care whether you do or not. I'm not lining up to get one. I'll get one if my wife does- she's a doctor. If she thinks we need one- I'll get it. If she doesn't get it, I won't get it. That's about as far as my information process on the issue needs to go. I personally don't care much whether I catch smallpox or not- it's not something I lose a lot of sleep over. Each individual has to make up their own mind. If these fellows do the trick for you, more power to you.

23 posted on 12/03/2002 8:09:19 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: FormerLurker
How so?

Are you saying a human's suffering is equivalent to an animal's suffering?

24 posted on 12/03/2002 8:11:42 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: FormerLurker
Funny, my father was the director of immunization at CDC between the 1970's and the 1980's. If you got an immunization shot during those years, he is the one responsible for it. Eventually, he was asked to take over the AIDS program once that became a serious problem in the 1980's.

My wife is an RN.

I had the smallpox vaccination as a child.

I had the smallpox vaccination in the Army.

Count me in as the first in line when the smallpox vaccinations when are available once again.

25 posted on 12/03/2002 8:15:11 PM PST by Hunble
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To: FormerLurker
You ever hear "no fool like an old fool?" heheee, since you so fond of quotes an all. Whazup wid you tryin to convince folks not to get their vaccines if they want one? You 'posed to be Liberal so what's with you trying to sway opinions?
26 posted on 12/03/2002 8:16:00 PM PST by Wingsofgold
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To: Prodigal Son
Meaning?

The information that I posted ARE facts, whether you wish them to be or not..

Did you know that in 1977, Dr. Salk himself TESTIFIED amongst other highly respected scientists that mass inoculation against polio was the cause of most polio cases throughout the USA since 1961. (Science 4/4/77 "Abstracts" )

27 posted on 12/03/2002 8:17:59 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: Prodigal Son
Are you saying a human's suffering is equivalent to an animal's suffering?

Do you believe that God allows us to torture animals?

28 posted on 12/03/2002 8:19:31 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: Wingsofgold
I had all my shots, as I was(am) USMC. Do try to read a bit, as it might not be that good of an idea...
29 posted on 12/03/2002 8:21:18 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: Hunble
I had the smallpox vaccination as a child.

I had the smallpox vaccination in the Army

Ditto. It's not me I'm worried about it's my grandkids.

The historical record of smallpox outbreaks indicates a 30% fatality rate. If they have weaponised smallpox and the means to deliver it in an urban environment, it will make the anthrax terrorism a walk in the park.

Transmission rates are very high and the system will be severely taxed.

I know this, somebody thinks the bad guys have it and that they are going to try and use it.

30 posted on 12/03/2002 8:24:12 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: Prodigal Son
If you are afraid of immunization, then no problem. It is a personal choice until you infect other people.

Ever wonder why immunization is required in schools? Because one infected child can cause multiple deaths in the community. If you prevent the spread of a disease early, it will not be transmitted to the rest of the population.

Personally, if I see someone infected with smallpox, I would shoot them on sight and burn the body.

Your choice, but make is wisely.

31 posted on 12/03/2002 8:24:45 PM PST by Hunble
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To: Hunble
Sorry Humble, that last post from me was in relation to your last post..
32 posted on 12/03/2002 8:25:30 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: FormerLurker
Do you believe that God allows us to torture animals?

It might be better to start with "Do I believe in God(s)?"

But you didn't answer my question. Is killing an animal the same as killing a human? Is causing suffering to an ant, for example, the same as causing suffering to a 3 yr old child?

33 posted on 12/03/2002 8:25:30 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: Hunble
Personally, if I see someone infected with smallpox, I would shoot them on sight and burn the body.

What if it were YOU, your WIFE, or your CHILDREN?

34 posted on 12/03/2002 8:26:49 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: FormerLurker
The information that I posted ARE facts, whether you wish them to be or not..

When did I say I didn't wish them to be facts? I'm not attacking you. I criticized the manner in which you presented your argument. This was meant as constructive criticism. I'm not arguing pro or con against vaccination. I have no dog in this fight. I don't care.

I simply took the liberty to type this Hadwen fellow's name in the Google search box and that's one of the first things I came up with- a quote where he more or less equates vivisection to human slavery. Why does this disturb you? It was an eyebrow raiser for me.

35 posted on 12/03/2002 8:30:13 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: FormerLurker
It's never a good idea to read one bit of what you post.
36 posted on 12/03/2002 8:32:06 PM PST by Wingsofgold
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To: Prodigal Son
It might be better to start with "Do I believe in God(s)?"

And what gods do you believe in ps?

But you didn't answer my question. Is killing an animal the same as killing a human? Is causing suffering to an ant, for example, the same as causing suffering to a 3 yr old child?

Of course killing an animal OTHER than a human isn't. An ant, as per my theological scale, is not equivilant to the life of a mammal. However, you tell me that a dog or monkey doesn't feel the same pain and horror as that of a 3 year old child, and well, you better HOPE there isn't such a thing as REINCARNATION...

37 posted on 12/03/2002 8:32:13 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: Wingsofgold
It's never a good idea to read one bit of what you post.

Facts REALLY s**k, don't they?

38 posted on 12/03/2002 8:34:12 PM PST by FormerLurker
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To: Hunble
If you are afraid of immunization, then no problem.

I'm not afraid of immunization. Where did you get this? I've been innoculated for things I don't even know about. You spend enough time in the Army, you don't even think about what they're jabbing you with any longer. I've no problem with being immunized- whatsoever. I've been vaccinated against smallpox already. I trust my wife's judgement. If she thinks we need one, I'll get it- if not, not.

Personally, if I see someone infected with smallpox, I would shoot them on sight and burn the body.

What are your qualifications for making the diagnosis? Just curious. I'm more for shooting stupid people myself. They're just as dangerous ;-)

39 posted on 12/03/2002 8:34:13 PM PST by Prodigal Son
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To: FormerLurker
With a disease like smallpox, and how rapidly it can be spread to the population.

Yes, I would burn my own wife or children if required.

This is very serious and not like the flu.

Recently, I have been studying President John Adams and how his family dealt with the smallpox epidemic in Boston. His family was vaccinated "the hard way" and it was a three week process. One of their sons almost died during that vaccination process.

Freedom of choice, but make your choices wisely.

40 posted on 12/03/2002 8:35:03 PM PST by Hunble
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