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Volume 9, Number 6—June 2003
Perspective

An Ounce of Prevention is a Ton of Work: Mass Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Anthrax, New York City, 2001

Susan Blank*†Comments to Author , Linda C. Moskin†, and Jane R. Zucker*†1
Author affiliations: *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; †New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA

Main Article

Table 1

Chronological summary of six anthrax events requiring PODsa

Event Location No. of eligible persons registered Total hours of operation Briefing format for eligible persons oral/written Antibiotics Nasal swabs
taken
1
Media 1
1,322
42
No/yes
Yes
Yes
2
Media 2
763
36
No/yes
No
Yes
3
Media 3
175
25
Yes/yes
No
Yes
4
Media 4
354
14
No/yes
No
Yes
5
USPS
7,081
67
Yes/yes
Yes
No
6 Hospital 1,923 28 No/yes Yes No

aPOD, point of distribution (for antibiotics); USPS, U. S. Postal Service.

Main Article

1All three authors contributed to the concept and design of this paper. Susan Blank wrote the first draft. Major editings and additional material were contributed by Linda Moskin and Jane Zucker.

2Deputization formally gives a volunteer responsibilities and privileges during the temporary assignment as an agent of DOH. Responsibilities include following DOH rules on confidentiality, handling medical records, making decisions on DOH’s behalf, and stewarding resources (especially medications and equipment) according to DOH protocol. DOH will in turn offer some protections (e.g., proper equipment, malpractice coverage, worker’s compensation coverage).

Page created: December 22, 2010
Page updated: December 22, 2010
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The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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