Unusual medical journal report: Jesusland and smallpox shots

That's fascinating, actually. I think the notion of smallpox attack is terrifying, although as a weapon it would be very unwieldy. (I say that as a confirmed blue stater in a blue-ish state.)

mormon stockpiles to thread.

I have always wanted a smallpox vaccine because Dr. Jenner, is inventor, was such a true badass. I was obsessed with him in fourth grade and had a series of comics, half action and half soap opera, about Dr. Jenner and his uneducated milkmaid friends. "I know. Dr. Jenner loves me for who I am and not because I don't get smallpox." Plus this illustration of cowpox made me have nightmares:

http://clendening.kumc.edu/dc/rm/18_67p.jpg

If it isn't clear, cow heads are blossoming out of their flesh.

So all in all this vaccine rules.

If any of you are near a trial site:

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search;jsessionid=CAE4E6C91E72468974495023D5B222A3?term=smallpox+vaccine&submit=Search

sorry about the ugly URL. But hey, free smallpox vaccine! And some $$$! and you contribute to medical research!

Whether or not you were immunized against smallpox depends on how old you are. I was as a kid and there's still a very faint scar from it. There was some work done a couple years ago that
indicated there is still some immunity in those vaccinated.

And, yes, the story of Edward Jenner is a grand one!

I had a friend in the military who was immunized before shipping out to Iraq. It made him sick for a few days and he wasn't happy about taking it, but -- it was an order.

Quite a few arms control and bioterror experts have effectively critiqued the U.S. government's doomladen proclamations (and the reasons behind the proclamations) on the likelihood of a smallpox attack from terrorists. For those really into the arcana of it, one discussion is here along with a link to a very good overview in .pdf form.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/nsn/nsn-060331.htm