Sacrifice

Looking over postings on the HSI Forum yesterday I came across a thread titled “Sacrificing Jenny.” And as soon as I began reading I realized I had not made my position clear about an important issue on the smallpox vaccine question.

In this past Monday’s e-Alert (“A Vaccine With Your Name On It” 12/16/02) I made this comment: “I agree that it’s wise to sacrifice a few to protect many.”

This comment angered a couple of HSI members – and one in particular, named Mike, took me to task, saying that my stance had offended him. He interpreted my statement as meaning that I approve of forcing people to take vaccinations, even if it may kill some.

Without question, no one should be forced to receive any medical treatment they don’t wish to take, and I would never approve of such a plan. My comments the other day, however, were regarding the impact of the vaccine on those who are at high risk of adverse (and possibly lethal) side effects, who would be in danger if they came in contact with others who had received the vaccine. If we knew we were facing an imminent bioterrorist attack with smallpox, wouldn’t it make sense to allow millions of people to protect themselves with a vaccination, even when there is the certainty that a few who come into contact with them could die?

A member named Lance makes this point in a posting on the Forum, saying, “those ‘first responders’ who receive the initial vaccinations, shop at the same stores, eat at the same restaurants as the rest of the world. Military personnel routinely fly all over the world, including countries that have not been vaccinated!”

Given the fact that the smallpox vaccine contains such a dangerous and highly contagious living virus, it’s easy to imagine the potential for disastrous results.

In a previous e-Alert on the smallpox vaccine (“Risky Business” 9/30/02), I addressed this situation, saying, “As horrific a decision as it is, IF WE KNEW FOR A FACT that a smallpox attack was imminent, I would say that we would have to sacrifice the lives of a few in order to save the lives of millions. It’s almost on the level of “Sophie’s Choice” – the heartbreaking reality that no matter what choice is made, the consequences are unbearable. The thing is – I’m not convinced that we’ve come to that point yet where the clear choice is to vaccinate one and all.”

Almost three months after writing that statement, I still don’t believe that we’re at the point where it’s worth risking lives to protect ourselves from an attack that we can’t say for sure is even in the least bit imminent. Especially because those who are vaccinated can so easily transmit the live vaccinia virus to the many people who are at high risk of side effects.

When the vaccination is offered to the general public in 2004, more than a year from now, the world will be a different place. We can only hope that when that time comes, no nation on earth will be forced to take drastic or dire measures to defend its citizens from bioterrorism.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute