Biological Warfare: Is Smallpox a Threat? Recent Government Activity Suggests It Is
In this vein, recently a vaccine for Smallpox has come to the forefront of news reports. An article from Outbreak News Today is reporting on an investigational smallpox vaccine that has successfully passed one of its clinical trial phases. As a matter of fact, it is so successful that USAMRIID (the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases) has been doing the testing…and is developing this as an alternative to the current U.S. smallpox vaccine.
“If approved, this vaccine will have a direct impact on improving force health protection for U.S. Soldiers and other service members who are required to be immunized against smallpox,” said COL Gary Wheeler, commander of USAMRIID.
According to Paul Chaplin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bavarian Nordic, IMVAMUNE has been given to more than 7,800 subjects in 21 clinical studies, including this trial and one other Phase 3 study. He said the company plans to file a Biological License Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration later this year.
“This program has only been possible through the consistent and strong support of numerous U.S. Government agencies and demonstrates what can be achieved through a successful public-private partnership to protect the public from the deliberate release of the smallpox virus,” Chaplin added.
If the disease was eradicated more than 40 years ago, then why all the concern now?
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
