Smallpox vaccines to return?

Consumer demand for flu shots appears to be stronger than ever.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The threat of bioterrorism is fueling requests for anthrax and smallpox vaccines.
The shots aren't available now, but it's likely a smallpox vaccine will be reintroduced, according to Diana M. Colaianni, director of the Mahoning County District Board of Health's nursing division.
Colaianni discussed the issue at Thursday's board meeting.
Vaccines for smallpox and anthrax may be offered in the future, if the Centers for Disease Control revises its guidelines, Colaianni said.
Right now, those vaccines are not available. They are being manufactured, but there are not yet enough doses to begin vaccinating the public.
Smallpox, a communicable disease, poses a greater risk than anthrax, which is not spread by personal contact. Therefore, the vaccine for smallpox is more likely to become available, Colaianni said.
Smallpox vaccines were once routine in the United States, but were discontinued in the early 1970s when the disease was eradicated.
If the vaccine becomes available, Colaianni said, health systems will likely be charged with distributing and administering it.
Flu shots: Consumer demand for flu shots also appears to be stronger than ever, she said, and supplies of that vaccine are likely to run out, at least temporarily.
Years ago, she said, 200 or 300 people turned out for flu shots at each clinic. Today, the number frequently tops 1,000.
Some 1,330 senior citizens and individuals with chronic health problems turned out for the county's first flu clinic this year, Colaianni said.
As of this morning, the county had 760 doses. Those were expected to be used up during a flu clinic at the Boardman Government Center today. "Last year in Boardman we vaccinated about 1,200," she said.
The county is expected to receive more of the vaccine Nov. 8, but it is unclear how many doses.
Cost for the flu shot is $10. Pneumonia vaccines -- 34 were administered during the clinic in Canfield -- cost $18.
kubik@vindy.com