-Caveat Lector- Posted on Fri, Mar. 28, 2003
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/5500258.htm Two states suspend smallpox vaccinations in wake of deaths BY JEREMY MANIER AND PETER GORNER Chicago Tribune CHICAGO - (KRT) - Health officials in Illinois and New York suspended all smallpox vaccinations Thursday while investigators review the deaths of two health care workers who suffered fatal heart attacks after being immunized. The states moved more quickly than the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where the only recommendation experts gave Thursday morning was that people with a history of heart disease should not get vaccinated against smallpox. Federal officials also are looking at 15 other civilians and military personnel who have had non-fatal heart problems after being immunized. The new problems are the most serious setback yet for the federal smallpox vaccination program, started by the Bush administration to protect a contingent of doctors, nurses and other emergency workers in the event of a biological attack with the deadly virus. The vaccine had not been known to cause heart problems among Americans who were vaccinated as children. But concerns about liability and other known side effects have led many hospitals and counties to opt out of the program, resulting in just 27,000 civilians being vaccinated - far fewer than the 450,000 government planners had projected. Virginia Jorgensen, 57, a nurse from St. Petersburg, Fla., died of a heart attack she suffered 17 days after getting the vaccine. Jorgensen's husband Robert said he had asked his wife, who had a history of heart disease, not to take the vaccine. "She was in the first group to volunteer," Jorgensen said. "I tried to talk her out of it, but she said `No way.'" The CDC has not changed its smallpox vaccination plans in response to Thursday's action by the states. Smallpox program officials will meet with the agency's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Friday to discuss how vaccine clinics should screen for heart patients, said CDC spokesman Curtis Allen. "The states are obviously concerned," Allen said. "We're trying to provide guidance as quickly as possible. There may be states that are uncomfortable going forward until this is resolved." An independent panel of experts from the Institute of Medicine released a report on the vaccination campaign on Thursday recommending that the CDC proceed with care, possibly including a temporary halt to assess the vaccine's safety. "What we're saying is what we have said all along - is that a pause would be useful," said committee chairman Dr. Brian Strom, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The CDC on Wednesday said it was recommending that people diagnosed with heart disease not be vaccinated until its investigation was completed. The agency said it was taking the action after receiving "several reports of heart-related problems" among the volunteers vaccinated in the first phase of the program. The seven cases that prompted Wednesday's precautionary action included three cases of myocardial infarction (heart attacks), two of which were fatal; two cases of angina (chest pain); and two cases of myopericarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle or the sac surrounding the heart). "Myocarditis is usually caused by a virus. The smallpox vaccine is a live virus, so this is a side effect you might expect," said Dr. David Faxon, chief of cardiology at the University of Chicago Medical Center. "But there is no direct correlation to a heart attack, except if you have pre-existing heart disease. That's bad because the two conditions will aggravate each other." Cases of heart inflammation following smallpox vaccinations were reported in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, the CDC said. However, the strain of vaccine used in the U.S. is different and had not been associated with any heart problems. Illinois public health officials said they would stop administering the vaccine until at least April 7. "We're concerned about the safety of those who volunteer and want to make sure they're informed," said Tammy Leonard, of the Illinois Department of Public Health. So far, the state has vaccinated only 116 people. Additionally, about 30 people have been vaccinated in Chicago, where the smallpox program is run separately from the state's program. City health officials said they have halted vaccinations but hope to begin again next week. The possible link between the smallpox vaccine and reported heart problems remains unclear. Some patients suffered inflammation that seemed related to the vaccine, while others had heart attacks that may simply have been caused by the history of heart problems, said Dr. Walter Orenstein, head of the CDC's immunization program. "We are working to try to maintain this program … (but) the issue of women is very important," he acknowledged Thursday. "Women are not only disproportionately represented in the cases. They're disproportionately represented in the vaccines. About two-third of the vaccinees are women and women make up a larger proportion of the health care worker task force." Despite such questions, Orenstein said the CDC wanted the program to continue. "We would not recommend a pause (in vaccinations) because of the concern about the need to get prepared, particularly with other events in the world at this moment," Orenstein said. --- © 2003, Chicago Tribune. Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicago.tribune.com Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services. © 2003 KRT Wire and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.centredaily.com Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutra <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
