Smallpox vaccination expansion 'unwise'.(CDC Advisory Committee)

ATLANTA -- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised the federal government not to expand the current pre-event smallpox vaccination recommendations.

The decision, made at an ACIP meeting, was based largely on the fact that 37 unanticipated cases of myocarditis/pericarditis arising among military vaccinees appear to be linked to the vaccine. Because the long-term extent and severity of such unanticipated events is unknown, ACIP's draft resolution said it would be "unwise" to broaden the program to include emergency medical staff, security staff, private health care providers, and others who could be at occupational risk.

At press time, it was unclear whether the CDC would adopt ACIP's guidance. At a press briefing, CDC director Julie Gerberding remarked, "With smallpox ... we are balancing the public health issues and the safety and indications for vaccination with a homeland security issue.... When we get advice from the ACIP, we will be respectfully considering it and I'm sure the [Health and Human Services] secretary will be weighing that advice in conjunction with other input he receives."

Thus far, ...