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Panel recommends against smallpox shots for the public

Emergency Management Alert, September 3, 2003

A scientific panel said August 12 that the general public should not receive smallpox vaccinations because of concerns about side effects for those receiving the shots and others coming in contact with them, the Associated Press reports.

The focus of smallpox preparedness should shift from the number of people vaccinated to a concentration on who needs to be prepared for a possible smallpox attack, according to the Institute of Medicine committee that prepared the report.

The Bush administration last year required smallpox vaccination for 500,000 military personnel and offered a voluntary program to immunize several million medical and emergency responders who would be the first to face danger in a biological attack. But as of July 25, only about 38,000 of the responders have received vaccinations. Many health care workers cited fears of side effects.

One problem with the smallpox vaccine is it's a live virus, so those who receive vaccinations can also risk passing along side effects to others with whom they come in contact. In addition, vaccinating the general public could put a strain on health agencies' budgets and staff.

The committee suggested the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention create registries of health care workers and others who have received vaccinations to help organize a response to a bioterror attack.

For more information on the report, visit http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=14631

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