Boy Infected By Father's Army Vaccine

Chicago Tribune: 2 Year Old's Life Threatened By Dad's Smallpox Vaccination

(AP)  A 2-year-old Indiana boy and his mother contracted a rare and life-threatening infection from his soldier father's smallpox vaccination, according to a published report.

The boy and his mother were being treated in a specially ventilated room at the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday.

The family's name and home town were not released at their request.

The boy developed a virulent rash over 80 percent of his body earlier this month after coming in contact with his father, who had recently been vaccinated for smallpox before he was to be deployed overseas by the Army, the paper said.

Physicians stressed that the boy was not suffering from smallpox, but from the related vaccinia virus which is used to convey immunity to the much deadlier disease. They said the infection was a rare condition called eczema vaccinatum, which has not been reported since at least 1990, when the military ended a previous program of smallpox vaccination. Smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980.

The military began smallpox vaccinations again in 2002 because of bioterrorism fears.

Doctors said the child suffered from eczema, which is a known risk factor for vaccinia infection. People with eczema are warned not to have close physical contact with the recently vaccinated because the condition allows the virus to enter the skin, they said.

The U.S. Defense Department and federal, state and local health authorities have been in daily contact with the hospital about the case. Health officials say there is no infection risk for the general population because the vaccinia virus can be spread only through close physical contact.

Nonetheless, Dr. Madelyn Kahana, the hospital's chief of pediatric intensive care, said staff members treating the boy and his mother were required to wear face masks and gloves, and that the two had been placed in a special room with negative air pressure, so all air would blow inward.

Kahana said the boy had been treated with a potent antiviral drug, as well as with an anti-vaccinia agent supplied by the CDC and the experimental drug ST-246, which was untried as a therapy in humans.

She said the boy appeared to be improving this week, but will probably lose 20 percent of his outer skin layer.

[atpay1]

The doctor said the boy is fine but will lose 20% of his skin, if you had burns over 20% of your body and were a two year old that's not good !!

[ratguard-2009]

I find the comment by rf35 to be a little one sided. If the father did in fact cause the problem I am afraid that he is paying a terrible price for not listening, provided that he received all the information rf35 says he did.

Old rf35 seems to be so sure of himself I figure him to be a member of the "Chairborne" as he has a distorted idea of what team means.

[darkfyreaol]

ANY vaccine has the capability to cause adverse reactions.

Just don't forget to wash your hands!

[rf35]

We military members are briefed, given pamphlets, briefed again, given the vaccination, and then briefed one more time. This guy must have been a complete moron. There is no way this can be blamed on anyone other than the father. A few simple precautions on his part would have prevented this tragic event. I hope they don't issue this soldier loaded weapons...he would probably wind up shooting himself and half his team.

[sclaires]

When I was a tottler, I had been vacinated against smallpox. And, as a lot of tottlers do, I scratched it and got the serum on my fingers. Mother asked me to get a diaper for my younger sister. As a tottler will do, I picked up the diaper right in the middle. Guess what!! My sister got vacinated on her bottom. To this day, she has never had a regular vacination take and that is over 60 years. You never know what a child will do and so extra care is needed.

[vancouverboo]

What a corner we have painted ourselves into by declaring smallpox eradicated and ceasing to give the vaccine to anyone. What a mess when we have to start giving it again due to terrorism and the reality of smallpox existing among us. Better to stick our heads in the sand and pretent it will never happen than to face reality?

[feelfree1]

Re: "What a purely and incredibly idiotic thing to say."

Thank you. I pride myself in the purity and incredulity of my idiocy.

[abigail70]

"Nobody can say that the Bush regime is not creative. They are constantly finding new ways to attack and kill Americans."

What a purely and incredibly idiotic thing to say. Geniuses like you wear helmets to the dinner table, no?

[mdc76082]

feelfree1 - "Nobody can say that the Bush regime is not creative. They are constantly finding new ways to attack and kill Americans."
-------------------------------------------------
Ha! Ha! Ha! You've got to be kidding me! Ha! Ha! Ha!

"Silly boy you got so much to live for
So much to aim for, so much to try for
You blowing it all with paranoia
You're so insecure you self-destroyer"
- The Kinks "Destroyer"

[feelfree1]

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

GWB- August 5, 2004

[mdc76082]

bmsbms29 - they do warn the members prior to the vaccination. It is not the military's fault. I suffer from psoriasis, and could not go near any member who was vaccinated. I also, could not receive the vaccine. So, yes they do hold "lectures" and do give out brochure information. This guy, probably figured, "dah, my family will be ok". Most go about their daily rountine as if nothing will be affected by them. I had to work elsewhere until the potential for infection was "zero". So, don't blame the military professionals. Don't let one "bad" apple spoil the bunch.

[bmsbms29]

1st of all - did they mother/father know of the risk for people with eczema. Probably not. That's where the military giving the shots SHOULD HAVE notified all soldiers of the possible dangers. Just like when we receive meds - we get information on symptoms, etc.

And blaming it on Bush is just such a waste of words! and rather juvenile!!!!!

[feelfree1]

Re: "A 2-year-old Indiana boy and his mother contracted a rare and life-threatening infection from his soldier father's smallpox vaccination, according to a published report."

Nobody can say that the Bush regime is not creative. They are constantly finding new ways to attack and kill Americans.

"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."-GWB

[barbaraf4]

I just hope the military and the US Government accept responsibility for any and all outbreaks. Normally they do not (ie. Agent Orange).

As for experimental drug ST-246, just what was this drug developed for? Why are they using an experimental drug on a child, especially when it has yet to go through Phase I ("first in man") testing? I believe this is against all protocols for drug testing. Did the parents sign permission for study drugs to be used on their child? Did the consent form provide full disclosure?

If this were my child, I would already have an attorney on board.

[linfinster]

Well if they survive, sounds like the Government had thier first sucessful trial run with a new medication. Wonder who they'll try it on next?

[wvoifvet]

This is sad that this has happened! But as a service memeber that has had that same vaccination, they ask (or should ask) if you will be around younger children and to limit contact with them or to stay away from them.

I just hope for everyone in this family that everything comes out for the best in everyway possible!!!!!