Bush May Order Everyone Injected With Smallpox Vaccine

Rense.com | 11-9-1

[Magician]

All Americans could be forced to have smallpox jabs under plans being considered by President Bush, despite fears that such a programme would kill hundreds.

Underlining White House fears about America's vulnerability to a new wave of bioterrorism, Mr Bush said that he was discussing with Tommy Thompson, the Health Secretary, whether to order mandatory vaccinations.

"One of my concerns is if we were to have universal vaccination, some might lose their life," he said. "But I'm looking at all options, all possibilities."

Authorities in the US have already announced that they intend to stockpile 300 million doses of smallpox vaccine, enough for the country's 260 million citizens. But last night was the first time that anyone had suggested they would be compulsory rather than used to cover an emergency.

Mr Bush made his remarks yesterday as he was touring the Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta, which houses one of only two officially kept samples of smallpox since the World Health Organisation declared in 1979 that the virus had been eradicated. Earlier this week scientists at the Vektor Institute in Siberia, which holds the other sample, gave warning that underpaid Russian workers could be tempted to sell the virus to terrorists.

The last case of smallpox was in 1977. The vaccine is fatal for one in a million cases.

[muggs]

And, there is something like a 75% fatality rating for those who actually GET the disease....

Where did you hear that?

[bonesmccoy]

sounds like a good plan. Tell Tommy to send the vaccine down to our office. Who's going to protect me from lib/dem lawyers who sue me for giving the mandatory vaccine when their dem people happen to get the complication of the vaccine? MR.PRESIDENT: PASS LEGISLATION THAT PRECLUDES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM SUING THE DOCTOR WHEN THE DOCTOR IS FOLLOWING CDC RECOMMENDATIONS!

[crazykatz]

Believe me...this IS NOT a disease to just dismiss like that....IT IS LETHAL...and those who do survive are so scarred that they are almost hideous...from all the pictures I have seen coming out of Africa.

It is also highly contagious. In the 18th century Britain, some 6 folks were exposed when a coffin containing the remains of a well known fellow (who died 50 years before of smallpox) was exhumed by accident...they hit it while digging a new grave....cracked open the wooden casket...dust rose up and WITHIN MERE DAYS....all those exposed had smallpox and ALL OF THEM DIED!!

[Illbay]

No, that'd be between 250 and 300 people.

[riri]

That headline is a bit of a stretch.

[matrix]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!

[Germanflower]

That's why it would kill hundreds.

[KQQL]

lol.

[Fury]

Same here. Received the smallpox series while in the military and would not object to recieving it again as long as the upside/downside was explained and I consented.

[Illbay]

Perhaps they could make it freely available to any who want it, at least at first, and see what comes of that.

If not a "sufficient number" respond, then mandatory vaccination could go ahead.

To those silly ninnies who say "They can't make me take it, I have rights!" I'd like to remind you that we are AT WAR, with an enemy that may well have this particular weapon. If you are unwilling to be vaccinated, then you will endanger others.

[sinkspur]

Those old vaccines aren't as effective after about 5-7 years, if I'm not mistaken.

You are mistaken. The old smallpox vaccines MAY be effective for life, according to some specialists.

I'll take my chances with the vaccine. I'd rather be bled to death out of my fingertips than die from smallpox.

[exnavy]

Someone trys to stick a needle in one of my children without my permission and it will be the last thing they do on this Earth.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

ok....ur right

[John Jorsett]

Those of over 35 have almost all been vaccinated once at least.

People do develop reactions later in life, so having gone thru it successfully in the past isn't a guarantee against having future problems. One favorable thing is that vaccines are no longer cultured in a medium derived from eggs, which was the cause of many reactions in the past.

[wimpycat]

This is a good example of how to slant a story to create the most fear. I've never heard of this source before, but apparently, all Bush is doing is considering the possibility. This story makes it sound like Bush doesn't know that the vaccine has a risk, like every other vaccine. Once again the press thinks Bush is an idiot, who doesn't have access to expert opinions on the subject. And the vaccine used to be compulsory. Forced vaccination is what helped to eradicate the disease in the first place and save countless lives.

So, if you distill this story down to the basics, all we know is Bush is considering doing something that has been done before. I don't think it will happen, personally--compulsory vaccination, that is, unless there is really an outbreak.

[stlnative]

I am 35 years old and I do not know if I was vacinated with it or not. I know I do not have scar on my arm like some people that are the same age as me. Do people always scar when they get the vacination?

[JoeSchem]

If there's something wrong with the vaccine (say a contaminant due to, I don't know, terrorism) it could kill 275 million Americans.

I don't believe the federal government is competent enough to quality-control something of this potential lethality. I may get a smallpox vaccination, but not from a government 'stockpile.'

[crazykatz]

OOPS! I meant 35%.....75% of those infected have severe scarring.

[Illbay]

I think people like you, who think the government can "hide" things from the general public that are easily discovered, are a hoot!

Of course, you probably figure that you are one of only a handful--say 0.4%--who think that they are the only savvy people on the planet, so it shouldn't come as a surprise.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

No President can FORCE every American to get a smallpox vaccination. What is he going to do, arrest the millions who may not want to take the vaccine? Hell, the Census Bureau can't even FIND everyone. How are they gonna give everyone a shot?