Project BioShield delivers New Smallpox Vaccinations - Part Two Special

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued a press release on July 14, 2010, announcing the first 1 million special immune-compromised smallpox vaccines have been delivered to the National Strategic Stockpile (NSS).

The supply is maintained and operated by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located in Atlanta, Georgia. The CDC maintains a web page called Strategic National Stockpile: What it means to you on their website outlining in detail all their efforts. Bernadette Burden of the CDC was kind enough to answer a few questions about the purpose of the CDC and protection of the NSS. "The CDC's mission is to collaborate to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health - through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats. The CDC is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services." Bernadette Burden went on to say, [quote"The CDC employs multiple layers of security and every reasonable precaution to safeguard the medical countermeasures held in the Strategic National Stockpile. CDC's Division of Strategic National (DSNS) is supported by CDC's Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness is analyzing requirements and implementing security measures to protect SNS assets. The only way the national stock pile can be distributed to compromised areas of the U.S. is by the federal and local authorities being in agreement that such a need exists. Once they are in agreement the supplies can be released and distributed in as little as twelve hours to any place in the country. According to the Department of Health & Human Services press release BioShield is a project of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development (BARDA) which in turn is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. BARDA has contracted the manufacturing and delivery of the Special Population Smallpox Vaccine to the Danish company Bavarian Nordic. This pharmaceutical company is scheduled to produce 20 million doses of the vaccine at the cost of $505 million with a delivery date of 2013. The director of BARDA, Dr. Robin Robinson had this to say about the development and future of Project BioShield,

"This product began with a basic research and development program initiated by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the National Institutes of Health in 2003, and progressed to the point that Project BioShield could be used for further development and procurement. It represents a concerted, coordinated effort among federal agencies and with the private sector throughout the R&D process. It's a model for us going forward."

The U. S. Department of Health & Human Services are referring to the term "immune-compromised" as anyone who has developed a weakened immune systems as a result of HIV that has not evolved into AIDS. This also may include those with Leukemia and Primary Immune Deficiency Disease (PIDD) consisting of various conditions dealing with the immune system. Top consideration of "special populations" is directly mandated under the Pandemic (epidemic over a large area, such as the country) and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). The PAHPA was signed into law by President George Bush in 2006 to increase the country's response to emergencies. Furthermore to clarify, smallpox is a living contagious virus with two different forms. The most common form of the two is known as the Variola major which then is categorized into four different types. According to the information made available on the CDC website there is no specific treatment other than prevention through vaccination. It becomes clear how this virus would be especially dangerous for those with compromised immune systems. In fact, the vaccinations themselves can have a serious and sometimes fatal results. To read more information on precautions related to smallpox vaccinations, refer to the smallpox facts sheet. As a next step, BARDA is further supporting work on improving the vaccination to a freeze-dried version with the hopes of having a longer shelf life, reduce storage costs, and simplify transportation.