Bloomberg gets first smallpox vaccine

CNN.COM ^ | 2-20-03

[bonesmccoy]

NYC mayor receives smallpox vaccine Wednesday, February 19, 2003 Posted: 3:29 PM EST (2029 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg received a smallpox vaccination at City Hall Wednesday to kick off the city's voluntary vaccine program for key workers.

Five city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene workers also were vaccinated, the first of what the city hopes will be 5,000 to 10,000 public health, public safety and health care workers who will be vaccinated by the end of May.

The program is part of a nationwide effort to inoculate people who would be the first to respond in the event of a biological-weapon attack.

[bonesmccoy]

What a lark. The mayor is the least likely to be affected by small pox.

The most likely person is the doctor or nurse or medical assistant in the offices across Manhattan and the tri-state area.

What are the local health departments doing to protect the primary care offices from being killed in the first wave of attacks?

----------- And about that picture... what is with the guy giving the immunization?

Does this vaccine require a gown?

NO.

The vaccine was being given in the African plains in dirt tents during the late 1960's.

So, what's with the "gowning up" act?

[cgk]

I wouldn't want Bloomberg's cooties on me, either :)

Mrs Kus

[showme_the_Glory]

How old is he? Didn't he get one as a child. My entire family got these as most everyone prior to the 60's....

[steve50]

I wonder why these guys don't get in line with the hospital staff or military personal to get their dose. Would make for a good photo op.

[hellinahandcart]

I hope it's not TOO mean of me to hope that the liberal rat bastard gets a teeny reaction to the shot.

If it is, too bad.

[Think free or die]

Hasn't there been some resistance to the immunization within the health care community? My take is that he's showing that there's nothing to fear.

[hellinahandcart]

The mayor is the least likely to be affected by small pox.

He does live directly across the street from Iraq's Mission to the UN.

[areafiftyone]

Small Pox Vaccines do not last your lifetime you have to get booster shots.

[jpl]

Hasn't there been some resistance to the immunization within the health care community? My take is that he's showing that there's nothing to fear.

Your take is correct. And the only reason that there is resistance in the health care community is because a conservative Republican president gave the order. Which, needless to say, is really just sad.

[Paleo Conservative]

What a lark. The mayor is the least likely to be affected by small pox.

That may be true, but it takes the wind out of the sails of the hospitals that have declined to have their personel vaccinated before any outbreaks.

[stanz]

I hear that even those already vaccinated need to be re-vaccinated. As soon as it's available, I'm getting a booster.

[jiggyboy]

It could be available to the public "as early as 2004":

http://rpc.senate.gov/releases/1999/RepRecord144.htm

[stanz]

Thanks for the link. Got my fingers crossed that 2004 won't be too late. The way things are happening lately, I'm paranoid about everything.

[steve-b]

What a lark. The mayor is the least likely to be affected by small pox.

It's called "leadership by example".

[Asparagirl]

Small Pox Vaccines do not last your lifetime you have to get booster shots.

Yep. Their effectiveness wears off after 5-10 years, but nobody's really sure how much. People who are getting re-vaccinated have fewer side effects from the shot than people (like me) who were never vaccinated in the first place.

[bonesmccoy]

He does live directly across the street from Iraq's Mission to the UN.

Are you serious?

[bonesmccoy]

The major "resistance" in the health care community is coming from liberals/socialists in the "public health" sector.

These people make a living by controlling vaccine supply in the nation.

So, they say... "whoa"... I need to review things first...

Meanwhile, we're all sitting ducks while the county public health people figure out what the heck they're supposed to be doing.

[hellinahandcart]

Hell yes I'm serious.

I can't walk on that part of 79th St anymore, it's too damned creepy. Iraqi mission on the south side, and the RAT mayor's town house on the north.

It is "where I do not wish to be" now. Shame, because it's a very pretty and upscale block otherwise.

[bonesmccoy]

Dude, that's creepy!

Sheesh.