ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- As the White House weighs the options for a national smallpox immunization plan, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) continues to recommend that the U.S. not begin routine mass immunization against smallpox, even on a voluntary basis, citing the low risk of disease, the side effects of the smallpox vaccine and the implications for public confidence in the immunization system.
"IDSA advocates vaccinating those healthcare workers who would respond to possible smallpox cases and strengthening the public health infrastructure so that we can immunize the public if that becomes necessary. However, in the absence of naturally occurring smallpox, we maintain that mass vaccination of the general public is not warranted at the present time," said IDSA president W. Michael Scheld, MD, in a letter sent yesterday to President Bush.
The complete text of the letter is available on IDSA's Web site at
<http://www.idsociety.org/PA/PS&P/Smallpox_Bush_12-3-02.htm>.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), based in Alexandria, Va., is a professional society representing nearly 7,000 physicians and scientists who specialize in infectious diseases. The Bioterrorism Information and Resources section of the IDSA Web site can be accessed at www.idsociety.org/bt/toc.htm.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.