The Institute Medicine (IOM) advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to pause its smallpox immunization efforts to permit time for the following developments:
- completion of an in-depth analysis and investigation of all known serious adverse events to date and possible risk factors;
- determination of what numbers and types of vaccinated personnel are needed to achieve preparedness;
- update of educational and training materials by the CDC;
- revision of program data systems to include new types of vaccinees and to account for differences in data entry anticipated in expanding to a wider range of occupational contexts and personnel;
- development of guidelines regarding vaccine "take" readings, vaccination site checks and site care, and other issues related to vaccination follow-up of new types of vaccines;
- establishment of communication and collaboration with other partners (e.g., first responders, security personnel, health care and hospital systems, community-based health care providers);
- revision by state and local programs of response plans that lay out clear roles and activities for teams responding to a potential event;
- strategic planning and reconciliation of the smallpox vaccination program with other bioterrorism programs and other public health priorities.
The Institute Medicine advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to pause its smallpox immunization efforts to permit time for the following developments.
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