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New Smallpox Immunization Policy Issued

AAFP Takes Stand on Widespread Smallpox Vaccinations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 06, 2002

Contact:
Adam Lee
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237 Ext. 5221
alee@aafp.org

LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians now advocates immunizing a limited number of people at the federal, state and local level who are pre-designated by bioterrorism and public health authorities. These people would be called upon to investigate smallpox cases and contain outbreaks should they occur. This is in addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Interim Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines that the Academy endorsed last fall.

In case of an outbreak, then ring containment immunization (immunizing all people the patient came in contact with prior to diagnosis and quarantine) should receive highest priority with other immunization programs initiated if needed. If federal authorities determine that the threat level has changed, then a more aggressive immunization program should be considered.

The Academy does not advocate a widespread smallpox vaccination at this time. The complications and potential death that could occur by vaccinating all people in America outweigh the current risk of a bioterrorist attack. It is important to note that the smallpox vaccine contains live vaccinia virus. The person vaccinated against the disease can actually spread the virus up until the time the injection site heals (up to six weeks).

“This approach is appropriately aggressive in protecting those most at risk while also protecting the public’s health,” said Warren A. Jones, M.D., AAFP President.

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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents more than 93,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

Nearly one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 215 million office visits each year – nearly 48 million more than the next medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide the majority of care for America’s underserved and rural populations.

In the increasingly fragmented world of health care where many medical specialties limit their practice to a particular organ, disease, age or sex, family physicians are dedicated to treating the whole person across the full spectrum of ages. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.

To learn more about the American Academy of Family Physicians and about the specialty of family medicine, please visit www.aafp.org.

For more information about the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care and downloadable multi-media on family medicine and health care, visit the AAFP Media Center.

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