U.S. to Vaccinate 500,000 Workers Against Smallpox

New York Times ^ | 7/06/02 | WILLIAM J. BROAD

[EternalHope]

If the quantity of vaccine available is a problem, remember that the Russians have offered us their vaccine.

If we ever need it, I sure hope it works...

[The Great Satan]

No problem.

[DugwayDuke]

Both of those approaches would certainly work, but there are costs associated.

Isolation of those with compromised immune systems would be least costly but the political outrage from those groups would be immense. AIDS activists would see it as something akin to the quarantine of HIV positive persons and they would scream bloody murder. Since they are a key democratic constituency, well, you know where that would lead.

Isolation of those receiving the shots would be even more expensive. In effect, you would be shutting the country down for a couple of weeks. Sure, you could phase it with not every one down at the same time, but, in effect, you still lose a country-man-week. The effects on the economy would be enormous.

What it really comes down to is this. It's a classic expected value type of thing. What are the expected costs and what are the probabilities. Everything I've heard indicate that those making these decisions think the probability of an attack are small.

[Eustace]

If You don't mind me asking , I went to the vet's website looking for the antibiotics that are mentioned in the book. I was surprised to see almost all of the main ones listed as fish antibiotics in 250mg doses.

Are those ones You considered ? You had mentioned that You had already stocked up.

I'll check the farm stores in my area , but the fish ones seemed to have everything covered.

Thanks

[The Great Satan]

I had this problem too. The only pet antibiotics I could find at my local pet store were aquarium antibiotics. The guy at the store said they are basically the same as the one's for dogs and cats. I initially bought some of those as the easiest option. Since I'm not sure how good they are for humans, I eventually bought Doxy and Cipro from overseas, internet suppliers -- do a web search, and you'll find them pretty easily. I take it you don't have a personal physician you'd feel comfortable asking to prescribe for you for this purpose -- I was in the same boat.

[Eustace]

No , I don't think she would go along.

When I first started thinking about this I was asking my doctor if they had any vaccines for anthrax, the answer being "no". I even called some vets to try and find out if animal anthrax vaccine was the same for humans.

They pretty much thought I was crazy.

I'll try what You said , and I appreciate Your time through all of this. It'll save me a lot of head knocking.

[The Great Satan]

If you get them from overseas, you're pretty much taking a chance on the honesty of the outfit, since you don't have any recourse if the goods never come. Last year, I tried a couple that had fairly impressive websites, and they both delivered the goods. Use your best judgment.