Canadian Immunization Guide 2006
Canadian Immunization Guide
Seventh Edition - 2006
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Part 4
Active Immunizing Agents
Smallpox Vaccine
The last known case of naturally occurring smallpox occurred
in Somalia in 1977. Three years later the World Heath
Organization (WHO) published the Declaration of the Global
Eradication of Smallpox. Immunization programs were terminated
shortly afterwards. Eradication of this dreaded disease was one
of the most significant advances in public health in the
20th century.
The occurrence of a single case of smallpox anywhere in the
world is a global emergency. WHO's Executive Board has endorsed a
commitment by all countries to provide mutual assistance in the
event of the identification of a case.
For research purposes, remaining virus stocks are kept in two
WHO reference laboratories in the United States and Russia.
There are concerns that other countries may have access to the
virus, particularly in the light of previous terrorist
events.
There is currently no evidence to support routine smallpox
immunization of the general Canadian population. The threat of
dissemination of smallpox virus as a biological weapon is
unknown but is believed to be very small. In the current
environment groups at greatest potential risk include laboratory
workers who may handle orthopox viruses and first
responders to a suspected case or outbreak, such as ambulance
attendants, hospital emergency room staff and other health care
workers. Laboratories wishing to vaccinate their staff should
contact the Director of the Office of Public Health
Security, Centre of Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPR),
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) at tel: (613) 941-6195 to
obtain additional information and/or to request the necessary
forms.
The Canadian Smallpox Contingency Plan is updated as necessary
by the Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP), CEPR, PHAC,
in consultation with the provinces and territories. The plan
includes recommendations for action to be taken if a case of
smallpox occurs in Canada or elsewhere in the world. Copies of
the plan can be requested by contacting the Director of OEP at
tel: (613) 946-7003.
For further information on smallpox vaccine, please see the Statement on Smallpox Vaccination published in the Canada
Communicable Disease Report (15 January, 2002, volume 28, ACS-1)
or available at <http://www.naci.gc.ca>.
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