Estimating the medical capacity required to administer mass prophylaxis: a hypothetical outbreak of smallpox virus infection in Korea
- Author:
Sangwoo TAK
1
;
Soomin LIM
;
Heesu KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Smallpox; Surge capacity; Government; Vaccination
- MeSH: Bioterrorism; Korea; Smallpox; Surge Capacity; Vaccination; Variola virus
- From:Epidemiology and Health 2019;41(1):2019044-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the medical surge capacity required for mass prophylaxis based on a hypothetical outbreak of smallpox.METHODS: We performed a simulation using the Bioterrorism and Epidemic Outbreak Response Model and varied some important parameters, such as the number of core medical personnel and the number of dispensing clinics.RESULTS: Gaps were identified in the medical surge capacity of the Korean government, especially in the number of medical personnel who could respond to the need for mass prophylaxis against smallpox.CONCLUSIONS: The Korean government will need to train 1,000 or more medical personnel for such an event, and will need to prepare many more dispensing centers than are currently available.
