As the threat of bioterrorism grows, federal officials are proposing vaccination as a way to protect Americans from one potential weapon -- smallpox. Close to 11 million people will receive smallpox vaccinations if the stated recommendations by federal health officials are accepted. First in line would be close to 500,000 hospital workers and the same number of soldiers, followed by nearly 10 million emergency health care and rescue workers. The vaccine would then be offered to the rest of America.
While smallpox is highly contagious and kills one-third of those affected, the smallpox vaccine is rife with its own risks -- out of every 1 million people vaccinated, two or three will die and between 15 and 52 people will suffer from life-threatening consequences such as brain inflammation.
In several clinical trials meant to test for possible reactions to the vaccination before it is widely administered, side effects of the vaccination were startling. In one study, out of 200 healthy, young adults who received the smallpox vaccine, one-third missed at least one day of work or school, 75 had high fevers and others were put on antibiotics because of blisters that appeared, which could indicate a bacterial infection.
Over the past year, volunteers participating in a variety of studies have received the smallpox vaccine, which is administered through 15 skin pricks that establish the infection in the skin. Many people experience discomfort at the shot site and report flu-like symptoms and itchiness for three weeks after the vaccination. Other people had rashes, swelling of the vaccination site or other areas of the body, and some had reactions that required treatment with antibiotics. One researcher noted that red, swollen, itchy arms were routine.
However, in a study of older adults who had previously been inoculated, it was found that revaccination did not cause as many severe side effects as first vaccinations.
One of the problems with the vaccination is that researchers cannot always determine whether reactions are normal or the result of a bacterial infection. Experts say that many unfamiliar complications will arise if the recommended vaccinations take place, and pregnant women, babies and people with eczema or weakened immune systems are warned against receiving the vaccine.
CBSNews.com December 3, 2002
Washington Post December 5, 2002; Page A01
Far more people than 1 or 2 per million vaccinated will die from the vaccine. Even though those with eczema are told not to receive the vaccine, many will not understand this and will receive the vaccine despite the warning -- likely they will be devastated.
Just reread what "healthy" college students went through when they had the disease. Nearly half of them had serious side effects. This vaccine is no walk in the park. Many whose immune systems are already challenged with high insulin levels and autoimmune diseases will never recover from the damage this vaccine causes.
However, having discussed the damage the vaccine can do, let’s review what the experts tell us will happen in a smallpox epidemic. They say 30 percent of those infected will die.
How do they know?
They don’t. Probably the best way to analyze this would be to look at what happened during the last smallpox outbreak last year. How many died?
Was it 30 percent? No way. Those who died, for the most part, were already seriously compromised and much older.
Related Articles:
Smallpox: Bringing a Dead Disease Back to Life The Fraud Of Vaccination
Smallpox: Bringing a Dead Disease Back to Life
The Fraud Of Vaccination