Reasonable Rascal
09-20-01, 22:39
ANTHRAX and SMALLPOX VACCINE AVAILABILITY - USA
*********************************************
Date: 20 Sep 2001
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: CDC [edited]
<www.cdc.gov>
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/>
CDC has received multiple calls through various CDC hotlines (including the NIP hotline) and the CDC switchboard concerning bioterrorism, especially smallpox and anthrax diseases, including queries as to availability and recommendations for these 2 vaccines. This is definitely something being discussed more in light of the events of the past week.
A CDC bioterrorism section has been functioning for more than a year. Below is some information that will assist you in answering questions concerning these 2 diseases, vaccine availability, and links to the smallpox and anthrax vaccines recommendations.
1. The last case of smallpox on Earth occurred in Somalia, in 1977. In 1980 the World Health Organization certified that smallpox had been eradicated from the planet. Currently, the only known remaining samples of smallpox virus are held in secure facilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA, and the Institute for Viral Preparations in Koltsovo, Russia.
Although destruction of all remaining samples of smallpox virus has been proposed, the United States government has decided to permanently store its samples of smallpox virus. Allegations and rumors of smallpox virus stocks in other locations have not been verified.
As a result of the successful eradication program, smallpox vaccine was removed from the commercial market in 1983, and is no longer a licensed product in the United States. The United States Public Health Service maintains an emergency stockpile of approximately 15 million doses.
At the present time, smallpox vaccine is supplied only to certain laboratory workers who are at risk of infection with smallpox-like viruses as a result of their occupation. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention is authorized to release the vaccine only to these workers under an Investigational New Drug (IND) permit from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The IND does not allow us to release smallpox vaccine to any other person for any reason.
The Federal Government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is concerned about the threat of bioterrorism. Plans for a response to such an event are being developed at many levels of the
Government. These plans do not include wide spread use of smallpox vaccine at this point. The benefit and risk of reintroduction of smallpox vaccine are continuing to be examined.
You may wish to consult the current U.S. Public Health Service's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on smallpox vaccination at: <http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5010a1.htm>
2. Anthrax Vaccine is not recommended for children under the age of 18. At this point it is not available commercially except to the military because of the risk the military may encounter in their work. You may wish to consult the current U.S. Public Health Service's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on anthrax vaccination at: <http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4915a1.htm>
3. Here are websites on bioterrorism and preparedness efforts:
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/>
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Agentlist.asp>
--Duane Kilgus, MPH
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
*********************************************
Date: 20 Sep 2001
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: CDC [edited]
<www.cdc.gov>
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/>
CDC has received multiple calls through various CDC hotlines (including the NIP hotline) and the CDC switchboard concerning bioterrorism, especially smallpox and anthrax diseases, including queries as to availability and recommendations for these 2 vaccines. This is definitely something being discussed more in light of the events of the past week.
A CDC bioterrorism section has been functioning for more than a year. Below is some information that will assist you in answering questions concerning these 2 diseases, vaccine availability, and links to the smallpox and anthrax vaccines recommendations.
1. The last case of smallpox on Earth occurred in Somalia, in 1977. In 1980 the World Health Organization certified that smallpox had been eradicated from the planet. Currently, the only known remaining samples of smallpox virus are held in secure facilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA, and the Institute for Viral Preparations in Koltsovo, Russia.
Although destruction of all remaining samples of smallpox virus has been proposed, the United States government has decided to permanently store its samples of smallpox virus. Allegations and rumors of smallpox virus stocks in other locations have not been verified.
As a result of the successful eradication program, smallpox vaccine was removed from the commercial market in 1983, and is no longer a licensed product in the United States. The United States Public Health Service maintains an emergency stockpile of approximately 15 million doses.
At the present time, smallpox vaccine is supplied only to certain laboratory workers who are at risk of infection with smallpox-like viruses as a result of their occupation. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention is authorized to release the vaccine only to these workers under an Investigational New Drug (IND) permit from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The IND does not allow us to release smallpox vaccine to any other person for any reason.
The Federal Government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is concerned about the threat of bioterrorism. Plans for a response to such an event are being developed at many levels of the
Government. These plans do not include wide spread use of smallpox vaccine at this point. The benefit and risk of reintroduction of smallpox vaccine are continuing to be examined.
You may wish to consult the current U.S. Public Health Service's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on smallpox vaccination at: <http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5010a1.htm>
2. Anthrax Vaccine is not recommended for children under the age of 18. At this point it is not available commercially except to the military because of the risk the military may encounter in their work. You may wish to consult the current U.S. Public Health Service's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on anthrax vaccination at: <http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4915a1.htm>
3. Here are websites on bioterrorism and preparedness efforts:
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/>
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Agentlist.asp>
--Duane Kilgus, MPH
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention