Part of the problem may be with the efficacy of the vaccine. The smallpox vaccination is older than those polio syringes BD supplied. In the past 200 years, it hasn't really changed. This is not a case of 'it ain't broke, so don't fix it,' either. The cowpox virus in the vaccine has become altered through many years of culture, and now has the name vaccinia virus. The vaccination procedure has been to pierce the skin and insert the live cowpox virus into the lesion, which sounds a touch medieval. Clearly this vaccine could use fine tuning before letting loose on the masses.

The Vaccine Guide

Dr. Randall Neufstaedter, OMD and author of The Vaccine Guide--Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults, recently adds to the consensus of opinion by saying "I do not recommend that people get the smallpox vaccine unless a local clinic can supply vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) in the event of severe adverse reactions to the vaccination."

The Vaccine Guide's recently published revised edition specifically addresses the threat of bioterrorism as well as the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act in the preface. Information on this Act and other warnings about the smallpox vaccine can be found at the CDC website.

In general, Dr. Neufstaedter's risk assessment is off the CDC grid, and may call for other sources to give family vaccine decisions more balance. Still, Neustaedter's assessment of the smallpox vaccine echoes the rest of the medical community, especially with regard to young children. For instance, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) advises against non-emergency use of smallpox vaccine in children younger than 18 years of age. More excerpts on the smallpox vaccine can be found in his book The Vaccine Guide.

In light of the resistance from the medical community, it makes you wonder about the real goals of this government immunization program. I suppose they never guessed that a scant few months later, the threat of a deliberate outbreak of smallpox would seem puny next to the threat from SARS or influenza or, god forbid, monkeypox. Now the big rush for a large-scale smallpox immunization program seems, well, kinda suspicious.

At the very least, with a vaccine reference guide and the CDC's published information, you can start to connect the dots on your own. Dying for your country over a lousy shot is not something the government should recommend for millions of Americans. And that's why the smallpox vaccine is one of the top 10 of Bush snafus of 2003. But then, the year's only half over.