M.D. Says Stop Smallpox Shots

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[NVIC] M.D. Says Stop Smallpox Shots 4/30/03 11:12:08 AM Pacific Daylight Time news Reply-to: kathi news Sent from the Internet (Details) E-NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL VACCINE INFORMATION CENTERVienna, Virginia http://www.909shot.com* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNITED WAY/COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN #9119* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *"Protecting the health and informed consent rights of children since 1982." ==========================================================================================FROM THE SUN SENTINEL, FLORIDAhttp://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/sfl-brmail881apr30,0,3811761.story?coll=sfla%2Dnews%2DlettersReason few seek smallpox vaccineJeffrey S. Sartin, M.D.LaCrosse, Wis.April 30, 2003I read with interest your recent report that Florida will begin vaccinatingfirst responders against smallpox ("Low turnout feared for smallpox shotsplan," April 25). As an infectious disease physician in Wisconsin who hashelped administer the program locally and who has seen several severevaccine complications, I believe it is an unwise decision.The cost and resource issues are well-known and do not need to bereiterated. What is more important is the significant health risk of thevaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted 45 seriouscomplications, including 10 confirmed or probable cases of myocarditis(heart inflammation) and four heart attacks, two fatal, among the 33,444civilians vaccinated so far. That is a risk of 1 in 740, which is far andabove any risk we would consider acceptable for a medical treatment.In La Crosse we have seen a severe case of myocarditis requiring intensivecare unit admission and a fatal illness possibly linked to the vaccine. Thecurrent vaccine is a live virus, which causes complications in unpredictableways. Ironically, safer vaccines exist and have been used in the past inother countries; they are currently being investigated for approval in theU.S.The program nationally has been rather unsuccessful, with less than 10percent participation of the target group of health workers. The seriouscomplications and lack of adequate compensation for illness have keptrecipients away in the absence of an actual smallpox outbreak. Why any statewould want to build upon this failure by expanding the program is anyone'sguess. The result is predictable: more vaccine complications, and possiblymore deaths, for no discernible gain=============================================News is a free service of the National Vaccine InformationCenter and is supported through membership donations. Learn more about vaccines, diseases and how to protect your informed consent rights http://www.909shot.comBecome a member and support NVIC's work https://www.909shot.com/order.htmTo sign up for a free e-mail subscription http://www.909shot.com/emaillist.htm NVIC is funded through individual membership donations and does not receive government funding. Barbara Loe Fisher, President and Co-founder.NOTE: This is not an interactive e-mail list. Please do not respond to messages.