Impatient with indecision in the upper echelons of U.S. government, a Florida sheriff has begun a program to administer smallpox vaccinations to his 1,400-member force of deputies, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, Nov. 25).

Orange County, Fla., Sheriff Kevin Beary received a smallpox inoculation yesterday and plans to offer immunizations to his deputies.  Mid-Florida Biologicals — a company that is producing a treatment for adverse reactions to the smallpox inoculations — has provided the vaccine to Orange County officials (see GSN, Nov. 12).

Beary’s efforts are believed to be unique, national law enforcement officials said.  U.S. President George W. Bush has not yet made a decision on a national plan that could include immunizing 500,000 emergency workers and 500,000 military personnel.

“The best place to be is the lead dog on the sled,” Beary said.  “We on the local level are waiting for the federal government to get things done.  They’re doing a good job up there but I don’t have time to wait,” he added (Mike Schneider, Associated Press, Dec. 3).

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