Smallpox

(CIDRAP News) – Because of heart problems that occurred in seven healthcare workers after they received smallpox shots, federal health officials say people who have heart disease should postpone the shot while investigators look for a possible link between the vaccine and heart disorders.

(CIDRAP News) – US states and territories will receive a total of nearly $1.4 billion for bioterrorism preparedness this year, and 20% of that will be available almost immediately to support smallpox vaccination or other needs, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today.

(CIDRAP News) – A Senate committee yesterday unanimously approved the Bush administration's "BioShield" plan to promote vaccines and treatments for biodefense but blocked the administration's proposal for compensating healthcare workers harmed by the smallpox vaccine.

(CIDRAP News) – Two young adults acquired vaccinia virus skin infections as a result of contact with military personnel who had received smallpox shots, and a third adult had a similar suspected vaccinia infection, according to the latest report of adverse events in the smallpox vaccination program.

(CIDRAP News) – The Bush administration's proposal to compensate health workers harmed by the smallpox vaccine has drawn mixed reviews from public health groups and unions, with some groups calling it a major step forward and others labeling it inadequate.

(CIDRAP News) – Seeking to remove a major barrier to its smallpox vaccination program, the Bush administration has proposed a program to compensate public health and healthcare workers who are harmed or lose wages because of the vaccine.

(CIDRAP News) – Two women recently contracted vaccinia infections of the eye as a result of contact with military personnel who had been vaccinated against smallpox, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today.

(CIDRAP News) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it is mailing information packets about smallpox to 3.5 million physicians and other healthcare workers in a continuing effort to educate them about the disease and the vaccine.

(CIDRAP News) – The civilian smallpox vaccination program has had its first significant adverse event after more than 7,000 shots, a case of suspected generalized vaccinia in a 39-year-old nurse in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

(CIDRAP News) – As part of an effort to provide a safer smallpox vaccine, federal health officials today awarded contracts to two companies to develop and test a vaccine using a strain of vaccinia virus that can't reproduce in human cells.