Calls and emails to White House needed on smallpox!

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1. White House listening to AAPS on smallpox
2. Letter to President Bush
3. Patients can help
4. Clarification of AAPS vaccine position

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1. WHITE HOUSE IS LISTENING TO AAPS ON SMALLPOX

The White House has given some indication that it is leaning towards making the smallpox vaccine widely available in advance of an outbreak, as requested in our statement issued earlier this week. (Read AP story)

Since the news reports are attributed to the proverbial “anonymous White House official,” that means that this is a trial balloon to test the waters of public support.

Please call or email the White House to urge President Bush to make the right decision – advance, voluntary immunizations. Otherwise we risk massive exposure and forced inoculations in an emergency.

Read the letter to President Bush urging immediate implementation of voluntary inoculations.

3. PATIENTS CAN HELP

AAPS MEMBERS: Be sure to enlist the help of your patients. Distribute the letter to President Bush along with this email or your own note to contact the White House.

4. CLARIFICATION OF AAPS VACCINE POSITION

Some people have expressed concern that AAPS has changed its position on vaccine mandates. We hope this statement will answer any questions.

1. AAPS has not wavered in its position AGAINST vaccine mandates. (See AAPS 2000 Resolution on Vaccine Mandates.)

2. AAPS has never opposed vaccines, which can be useful and do save lives.

3. We believe that making the smallpox vaccine available to the public in advance of a crisis and on a voluntary basis with full, informed consent will help prevent mass mandatory inoculations during an emergency.

4. People who oppose vaccine mandates for themselves and their children want to make that choice for themselves. This will allow people who want to receive the vaccine to make that decision for themselves as well.

5. We believe that drawing attention to the government’s inconsistent vaccine policies for diseases less life threatening than smallpox will advance the case for choice on this issue.