>
>I was interested in getting a vaccination for my daughter, who was born
>after small pox was eradicated world-wide and was told that there is no
>serum available for the general public. None at all, not for any price, not
>anywhere in the world.
>
>I asked if cow pox still exists "in the wild" and didn't get a clear answer.
Barbara, I expect the reason you could not get a clear answer is they don't
know.
There was some discussion in the scientific community if the remaining lab
samples should be destroyed.
Science had some discussion I remember. I don't think they were destroyed.
But today we don't know if any of these lab samples have been diverted.
And there was some concern I remember that the virus might exist in bodies
and might enter the population if
corpses infected with smallpox were exhumed.
So given the possibility of infection I would opt to let the individual
decide if they wanted to be vaccinated.
But we are not given that choice. And since the vaccine is based on cow pox
and not smallpox it would appear rather safe to continue to allow doctors
access to the vaccine.
Ralph
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Oct 12 2001 - 14:40:58 MDT