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CNN Live At Daybreak
Details on Smallpox Vaccine
Aired December 13, 2002 - 05:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to smallpox and today's big announcement from President Bush. He'll outline his plan for vaccinating Americans against the potentially deadly disease. But the vaccine itself is dangerous.
We get details on that, plus the president's plan, from CNN's Christy Feig.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): According to the president's plan, 500,000 military personnel and then an equal number of local, medical and emergency workers, will be the first to be vaccinated for smallpox.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is not only a public health decision, but it is also a decision of national security.
FEIG: The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1980. But cultures of the disease exist for medical resolution. Experts fear the virus could show up in other places, used as bioterrorism, and many Americans aren't protected.
SEN. BILL FIRST (R), TENNESSEE: And I would say as a nation that we do remain highly vulnerable if smallpox is used as an instrument of war.
FEIG (on camera): After the first responders get vaccinated, the president is expected to make it available to all Americans on a voluntary basis.
(voice-over): But the vaccine is one of the most dangerous vaccines ever created.
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, DIRECTOR, CDC: About 15 people will experience a life threatening complication for every million people that we vaccinate and one to two people will die.
FEIG: As many as 50 million Americans will be unable to take this vaccine.
DR. D.A. HENDERSON, HHS: The persons most at risk are those who have a serious skin condition of eczema, people who are being treated for cancer, people who are getting organ transplantation, people who have severe HIV disease.
FEIG: In case of emergency, there's enough vaccine to protect every American, and it's effective up to four days after being exposed to smallpox.
In Washington, I'm Christy Feig.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And we've got much more to tell you about smallpox, so don't miss the next hour of CNN DAYBREAK. Our medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, will join us live.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 13, 2002 - 05:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now to smallpox and today's big announcement from President Bush. He'll outline his plan for vaccinating Americans against the potentially deadly disease. But the vaccine itself is dangerous.
We get details on that, plus the president's plan, from CNN's Christy Feig.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): According to the president's plan, 500,000 military personnel and then an equal number of local, medical and emergency workers, will be the first to be vaccinated for smallpox.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is not only a public health decision, but it is also a decision of national security.
FEIG: The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1980. But cultures of the disease exist for medical resolution. Experts fear the virus could show up in other places, used as bioterrorism, and many Americans aren't protected.
SEN. BILL FIRST (R), TENNESSEE: And I would say as a nation that we do remain highly vulnerable if smallpox is used as an instrument of war.
FEIG (on camera): After the first responders get vaccinated, the president is expected to make it available to all Americans on a voluntary basis.
(voice-over): But the vaccine is one of the most dangerous vaccines ever created.
DR. JULIE GERBERDING, DIRECTOR, CDC: About 15 people will experience a life threatening complication for every million people that we vaccinate and one to two people will die.
FEIG: As many as 50 million Americans will be unable to take this vaccine.
DR. D.A. HENDERSON, HHS: The persons most at risk are those who have a serious skin condition of eczema, people who are being treated for cancer, people who are getting organ transplantation, people who have severe HIV disease.
FEIG: In case of emergency, there's enough vaccine to protect every American, and it's effective up to four days after being exposed to smallpox.
In Washington, I'm Christy Feig.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And we've got much more to tell you about smallpox, so don't miss the next hour of CNN DAYBREAK. Our medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, will join us live.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
