title: The use of smallpox virus as a biological weapon: the vaccination situation in France.
abstract: In the context of its plan to fight against bioterrorism, the Ministry of Health asked the Institut de Veille Sanitaire to evaluate the epidemic risk from a release of the small pox virus, and to make recommendations on potential vaccination strategies to be implemented. A benefit/risk assessment of various vaccination scenarios, including vaccination of the whole French population, was carried out to evaluate the severity of a terrorist action threat. This analysis concludes that at this stage, vaccination action does not seem to be justified. Even in the case of a real threat, the vaccination of frontline healthcare personnel, and in particular of contacts of cases, must be given priority.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Veille Sanitaire, Saint-Maurice, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lévy-Bruhl
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guérin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D023482:Bioterrorism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012899:Smallpox / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D012900:Smallpox Vaccine