 
URGENT! CDC HOLDS PUBLIC FORUMS ON VACCINE POLICY THIS MONTH WILL DECIDE NEW VACCINE GUIDELINES ON JUNE 20The CDC is hosting four public forums (THIS WEEK AND NEXT -- SEE SCHEDULE BELOW) to provide health professionals and the general public with information about smallpox and smallpox vaccine, and to solicit comments on the use of smallpox vaccine before and after a potential smallpox outbreak or bioterrorist attack. http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/a020530.htm CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have asked the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) to review the current U.S. smallpox vaccine recommendations. These two groups advise the CDC and DHHS on vaccine use and policies. The ACIP-NVAC Smallpox Working Group met on May 8-9, 2002 in Atlanta to discuss this issue, and plans to provide an updated set of smallpox vaccine recommendations to the CDC and DHHS by June 20. After these forums, the National Academy of Science will hold a scientific forum on June 15 in Washington, DC to obtain input from scientists, clinicians, and others about the options for smallpox vaccine use. The ACIP will then meet in Atlanta on June 19-20 to formulate recommendations to be presented to the Secretary, Health and Human Services. The ACIP meeting will also allow for approximately 4 hours of public comment. WE URGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE - BOTH PHYSICIANS AND PATIENTS - TO ATTEND THESE FORUMS. We are concerned about the potential for forced immunizations and serious reactions. There are many scientifically valid arguments against mass smallpox immunization campaigns. The vaccine is known to cause serious adverse effects, including death. The strain of smallpox chosen for a biological attack might be resistant to the vaccine. Thus, an entire population could be subjected to the dangers of mass vaccination while reaping no benefit at all. MORE INFORMATION IS POSTED ON THE AAPS WEBSITE AT www.aapsonline.org. Click on "Emergency Powers Act." Another resource is Doctors for Disaster Preparedness at: www.oism.org/ddp Click on "newsletters" for a smallpox update FORUM LOCATIONS: Thursday, June 6, 2002
New York, New York
San Francisco Saturday, June 8, 2002
St. Louis, Missouri Tuesday, June 11, 2002
San Antonio, Texas |