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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
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