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-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

Answers

The bad news is that all these wonderful plans they're discussing won't be available for, in some cases, a couple of years.

However, good news--the older smallpox vaccine they have (15.4 million doses) can be diluted so as to vaccinate more people, with a 90% efficacy. I believe what they're talking about is a dilution factor of ten, i.e., 154 million. As usual, the talk is confusing--they may be talking about a dilution factor of five is the 90% effective one, in which case, half the 154 million.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

Yep, 75 million. How many people we got here? Close to 300 million? Hmm. I wonder how they'll triage that?

They're saying that the new smallpox vaccine (54 million doses) won't be delivered until next July. . .

Should we really be having this discussion in public???

Or are we disinforming here? Do we actually have sufficient vaccine and we're saying we don't so that the terrorists will go for smallpox, rather than something we don't have vaccine for? (Like ebola, e.g.)

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

I would surmise that purer doses of vaccine would go for elderly and the children, and us 'middle of the road' folks would get the diluted.

If you are in good health otherwise, you will get the diluted one.

Also, when they say the additional vaccine will not be available until 2002 that means all of it, but as we all know they will be making it all along, and so some will be available sooner, right off the assembly line so to speak.

Best defense is to avoid crowds whenever possible. Do not go shopping during the busy times of the day, early in the morning, or late at night, jst asthe store opens or just before they close. Not during the busiest times. [I heard that from a woman in Israel who lives by this, and she has not lost any family because they all do this. Attackers want large groups of people, so avoid large groups.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

But even if they had all of it available today, there would still be only about 100 million doses available. I suspect cities would get the stuff first, like New York (8 million people), not to mention the metro area. (After the politicians, of course.) Just think about places like Mexico City--30 million people. Aaargh!

Better all keep our fingers crossed that the FBI has the perps caught in their roundup. Certainly looks to be that way with the C4 at the Philly bus station.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

BTW, the hearing is no longer on but could be on C-Span.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

O doomers where art thou?

Triage means the elderly and children will NOT get the vaccine first.

THINK!

You vaccinate those members of society most necessary to continued function.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

but... but... but....

Is the shot I got while young still good?

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

Apoc, I've been asking that question, too, and I've heard: 1) "No, it's really only good for 15 years," 2) "Yes, it's good for life," and 3) No one knows.

Someone on a board mentioned having the shot as a child and then getting a "booster" when she went overseas in her 30s. That sounds reasonable to me.

Now, here's my take. I'm a lot more worried about the developing recession/depression. I believe there will be a few areas that much fight biomeanies, but the recession/depression will be more widespread, which is why I haven't moved to a rural area. I'll even go out on a limb and predict that by Christmas, the problems from bioterror will be behind us. On the other hand, a lot of us will be jobless.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001