[George W. Bush]

Perhaps you'd like to share your perspective on vaccine stockpiling and precautionary vaccination. Do you agree with Secretary Thompson on his policy of increasing stockpiles of vaccine but withholding vaccinations until we actually have a real outbreak?

Having read his comments and his thinking on this, I tend to agree that he has the right idea. I would, however, like to see medical and military vaccinated at the first opportunity. Certainly, it would not have the same vaccination risks that have been associated with the military's anthrax vaccination.

Thanks for your comments. I'd enjoy reading more on the public health/epidemiological perspective.

[HarryKnutszacke]

Perhaps you'd like to share your perspective on vaccine stockpiling and precautionary vaccination. Do you agree with Secretary Thompson on his policy of increasing stockpiles of vaccine but withholding vaccinations until we actually have a real outbreak?

I'm a little reticent to admit that I agree with Tommy Thompson. I think he has come off looking like a clown so far. However, the gov't is catching up to this. I agree that we need a larger stockpile (>100 million doses) so simultaneous outbreaks in multiple large cities can be dealt with. The argument against vaccinating everyone ASAP is as follows: there is an 1 in 1 million incidence of serious morbidity, even death with smallpox vaccination, due to inflammation of the brain. While 1 in a million is rare, it would be 280 cases of death or serious neurologic damage in this country. If there is an outbreak, absolutely the risk is worth it. If, at this point we're not even 100% sure that the virus exists outside of US and Russian stockpiles, than we probably should hold off on mass vaccination.

Perhaps the deployed military should receive it.

Harry K.