德国称天花疫苗储备已到位
FRANKFURT (Reuters Health) - The German government has announced that it now has stockpiled 6 million doses of smallpox vaccine that can be used immediately in case the need arises.
However, government-designated spokespeople are being extremely tight-lipped about when vaccinations were acquired and where they are being stored.
The issue of Germany's preparedness in the event of a terrorist smallpox attack turned political Wednesday. The daily Die Welt newspaper quoted two opposition party members who strongly urged the government to immediately take steps to ensure the capacity to vaccinate medical staff, soldiers and the general population against smallpox.
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On Wednesday evening, German Health Minister Ulla Schmidt was reported to have told German state officials that the government would buy 6 million doses of smallpox vaccine at a cost of 100 million German marks.
On Thursday, Florian Lanz, German Health Ministry spokesman, confirmed for Reuters Health that the government now has 6 million smallpox vaccinations available.
When asked when the vaccinations were acquired or where they are being held, he declined comment. "We will not discuss that," he said.
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In the story in Die Welt, Dieter Thomae, who represents the opposition Free Democratic Party in Parliament, said that smallpox is a far greater terror threat than anthrax. He said that smallpox vaccinations must be prepared for all of the 80 million Germans.
Lanz, when asked why only 6 million doses were being stockpiled, said, "We have a lot of experts who have studied worst case scenarios. They came to a decision that 6 million is adequate."
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He added that there are no plans to start vaccinating health workers in Germany, as is now being done in the US.
"It is not necessary," he said. "We have no smallpox in Germany. We have no such problem in Germany."
Lanz referred other questions to the Berlin-based Robert Koch-Institute, Germany's version of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Susanne Glasmacher, Koch-Institute spokeswoman, said that there are potentially serious side effects to smallpox vaccinations. "You don't vaccinate if you do not have to vaccinate," she said. "We have information that smallpox samples are being held only in two labs, one in the US and one in Russia."
Although warnings about the threat of a terrorist smallpox attack have been increasing around the world in the past week, she said, "At the moment, there is no threat. There is no reason for panic or fear.", 百拇医药
However, government-designated spokespeople are being extremely tight-lipped about when vaccinations were acquired and where they are being stored.
The issue of Germany's preparedness in the event of a terrorist smallpox attack turned political Wednesday. The daily Die Welt newspaper quoted two opposition party members who strongly urged the government to immediately take steps to ensure the capacity to vaccinate medical staff, soldiers and the general population against smallpox.
, 百拇医药
On Wednesday evening, German Health Minister Ulla Schmidt was reported to have told German state officials that the government would buy 6 million doses of smallpox vaccine at a cost of 100 million German marks.
On Thursday, Florian Lanz, German Health Ministry spokesman, confirmed for Reuters Health that the government now has 6 million smallpox vaccinations available.
When asked when the vaccinations were acquired or where they are being held, he declined comment. "We will not discuss that," he said.
, 百拇医药
In the story in Die Welt, Dieter Thomae, who represents the opposition Free Democratic Party in Parliament, said that smallpox is a far greater terror threat than anthrax. He said that smallpox vaccinations must be prepared for all of the 80 million Germans.
Lanz, when asked why only 6 million doses were being stockpiled, said, "We have a lot of experts who have studied worst case scenarios. They came to a decision that 6 million is adequate."
, 百拇医药
He added that there are no plans to start vaccinating health workers in Germany, as is now being done in the US.
"It is not necessary," he said. "We have no smallpox in Germany. We have no such problem in Germany."
Lanz referred other questions to the Berlin-based Robert Koch-Institute, Germany's version of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Susanne Glasmacher, Koch-Institute spokeswoman, said that there are potentially serious side effects to smallpox vaccinations. "You don't vaccinate if you do not have to vaccinate," she said. "We have information that smallpox samples are being held only in two labs, one in the US and one in Russia."
Although warnings about the threat of a terrorist smallpox attack have been increasing around the world in the past week, she said, "At the moment, there is no threat. There is no reason for panic or fear.", 百拇医药