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William Winkenwerder

Publications and source records attributed to William Winkenwerder.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

US military smallpox vaccination program experience.

CONTEXT: The United States recently implemented smallpox vaccination of selected military personnel in a national program of preparedness against use of smallpox as a biological weapon. The resumption of smallpox vaccinations raises important questions regarding implementation and safety. OBJECTIVE: To describe the US military smallpox vaccination program. DESIGN: Descriptive study of the vaccination program from its inception on December 13, 2002, through May 28, 2003. SETTING: US Department of Defense (DoD) fixed and field medical treatment facilities on multiple continents and ships at sea. SUBJECTS: US service members and DoD civilian workers eligible for smallpox vaccination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers of vaccinations and rates of vaccination exemptions, symptoms, and adverse events. Data were collected via reports to headquarters and rigorous surveillance for sentinel events. RESULTS: In 5.5 months, the DoD administered 450 293 smallpox vaccinations (70.5% primary vaccinees and 29.5% revaccinees). In 2 settings, 0.5% and 3.0% of vaccine recipients needed short-term sick leave. Most adverse events occurred at rates below historical rates. One case of encephalitis and 37 cases of acute myopericarditis developed after vaccination; all cases recovered. Among 19 461 worker-months of clinical contact, there were no cases of transmission of vaccinia from worker to patient, no cases of eczema vaccinatum or progressive vaccinia, and no attributed deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Mass smallpox vaccinations can be conducted safely with very low rates of serious adverse events. Program implementation emphasized human factors: careful staff training, contraindication screening, recipient education, and attention to bandaging. Our experience suggests that broad smallpox vaccination programs may be implemented with fewer serious adverse events than previously believed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The complex world of military medicine: a conversation with William Winkenwerder. Interview by Robert Galvin.

Starting as assistant secretary of defense for health affairs just ten days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, William Winkenwerder has probably the most complex and challenging leadership role in health care. In this interview he talks about the innovations taking place in battlefield medicine; the cost pressures and consolidation that exist in the military health system; the challenges of reporting to his notoriously demanding boss, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; and the need to deal with a questioning, skeptical media. Trained in internal medicine and business administration, Winkenwerder came to the Defense Department after stints at Emory University and Blue Cross of Massachusetts.

Humans↗