Fwd: Daily News - Thursday, December 19, 2002

[Guest guest]

> Daily News from Healthypages

> Thursday, December 19, 2002

> _______________________________

>

> Mass smallpox vaccination may result in deaths

>

> As the US prepares to vaccinate 1 million of its citizens against smallpox,

> it appears that for some people the vaccine will have serious health

> consequences.

>

> President George W Bush announced last week that half a million US troops

> and the same number of health workers would receive a vaccination against

> smallpox by early 2003, with 10 million health and emergency personnel to

> follow.

>

> The US smallpox vaccine involves a live strain of the virus vaccinia which,

> when injected into the body, provokes the production of antibodies,

> resulting in the development of immunity against the disease.

>

> While it may protect the majority of people against smallpox, according to

> the New Scientist magazine the vaccine will also kill a few people and

> cause adverse health reactions in many others.

>

> Studies from the 1960s, when smallpox vaccination was routine, show that in

> some people vaccinia can cause inflammation of the brain, death of the skin

> around the vaccination site, or a severe form of eczema. Moreover,

> vaccinated people can infect others with the vaccinia virus for up to three

> weeks after vaccnation.

>

> Health experts have also raised the concern that – compared with the 1960s

–

> there are now many more people with suppressed immunity, including those

> who have HIV or who have been treated for transplants or cancer.

>

> The US government has said that these people will be excluded from

> vaccination, along with those who have suffered eczema or topical

> dermatitis – conditions which can also increase the risk of reactions to

> the vaccine. However, unvaccinated individuals could be in danger of

> catching vaccinia from those who have been vaccinated.

>

> Complications arising from the vaccine can be treated with a dose of

> vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) – antibodies harvested from those who have

> been vaccinated. But while the US government is preparing 2,700 doses of

> VIG for availability next month, the extent of vaccination complications

> among the population is as yet unknown.

>

> © HMG Worldwide 2002

>

>

> *******************************

>

> Other stories

>

> ME research consultation launched

> The Medical Research Council (MRC) has launched a draft strategy on

> research into the controversial condition, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

> Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5470

>

> Ebola “may be spread by birdsâ€

> New US research suggests that the deadly human virus Ebola may have once

> been a bird virus and that birds could therefore be spreading it among

> humans.

> Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5471

>

> Parents warned over heavy schoolbags

> Parents should pay more attention to the weight of their children’s

> schoolbags to avoid potential injuries, a US survey has concluded.

> Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5472

>

> Doctors’ leaders slam new retirement plans

> The British Medical Association (BMA) has heavily criticised government

> proposals which would increase the retirement age of doctors from 60 to 65.

>

> Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5473

>

> Childhood diet and heart disease link investigated

> A new UK study plans to find out the effect childhood diet has on heart

> disease later in life.

> Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5474

>

> Police seize fake body-building drugs

> Police in Northern Ireland have seized a large quantity of counterfeit

> body-building drugs and urged anyone who may have taken them to seek

> medical advice.

> Full story: http://www.healthypages.net/elist/redirect.asp?i=18520 & l=5475

>

>