Links
- Vaccine resources
- H1N1
- Public health and biosecurity
- Bioterrorism
- Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Proliferation and Terrorism
"Understanding Vaccines,” National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases"
"Vaccines and Preventable Diseases,” Centers for Disease Control
"With H1N1 vaccine supplies delayed, attention turns to faster-to-make "virus-like particles," MIT Technology Review, October 22, 2009
"New Vaccines Against the Flu,” (DNA vaccines), MIT Technology Review, January 10, 2007
"2009 H1N1 Flu Facts,” Centers for Disease Control
"Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body,” National Public Radio"
"H1N1Flu Shot: Three Major Fears Debunked,” Erin Biba, Wired, November 2009
"H1N1 Challenges Ahead,” Trust for America’s Health
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, US Department of Health and Human Services
Project BioShield, US Department of Health and Human Services
Center for Biosecurity, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
"Bioterrorism and Public Health Preparedness," Trust for America’s Health
"Global Health and Security Initiative," NTI
Bioterrorism facts, Center for Disease Control
"The Nature of the Biological Threat," NTI
"Bioterrorism: Redefining Prevention," by Senator Bob Graham and Senator Jim Talent, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, June 2009
Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism
"The Clock is Ticking: A Progress Report on America’s Preparedness," October 2009
Download Video in these formats:
The United States—unlike the European Union and China—continues to use a 60-year old production method, using chicken eggs, to make H1N1 and other important vaccines. This is not just a public health problem, it is a national security threat.
What’s the connection between vaccines and WMD?
Last year, our Commission unanimously concluded that terrorists are more likely to use biological weapons than nuclear weapons. The United States can be prepared by having the capability to quickly produce vaccines and medicines. The good news: Having this capacity not only makes America more secure, it makes Americans healthier.
What’s the alternative?
More modern methods will shave months off the typical six to nine months that current processes require. These newer methods can produce more vaccine and be quickly scaled-up, on demand. Vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and chickenpox all use faster technologies. Further investment can build facilities and identify new approaches.