Epidemiology and Health

Original Article

Estimating the medical capacity required to administer mass prophylaxis: a hypothetical outbreak of smallpox virus infection in Korea: Sangwoo Tak, Soomin Lim, Heesu Kim; Epidemiol Health. 2019;41:e2019044. Published online October 10, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2019044

Abstract Summary PDF: 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.; Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 이미 박멸된 감염병인 두창이 발생됨을 가상하여 대규모 백신접종의 시나리오를 바탕으로 의료인력과 접종에 필요한 보건의료시설의 가용여부를 분석하였다. 두창 발생 1년 이내에 전국민의 70%를 대상으로 백신접종을 완료하기 위해서는 최소 1,000 명 이상의 훈련된 의료인력이 필요하며, 현재 병의원 시설을 포함하여 보건소 등을 백신 접종을 위한 시설로 활용하기 위해서 체계적인 대비노력이 필요한 것으로 판단된다. 한국정부의 대비역량에 대한 좀 더 면밀한 분석이 요구된다.

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