Communications

Communication Objectives

Instill and maintain public confidence in the nation’s public health system – and its ability to respond to and manage a smallpox outbreak – by providing accurate, rapid and sufficient information. Communications objectives include:

  1. Minimizing, as much as possible, public panic and fears related to smallpox.
  2. Rapidly provide the public, healthcare providers, policy makers, and the media access to accurate, consistent and comprehensive information.
  3. Address, as quickly as possible, rumors, misperceptions and inaccuracies.

National Guidance

National health agencies should assist their counterparts at the different levels of government in preparing for their communications needs. They should help their partners effectively educate the public, health care professionals, policy makers, partners, and media about smallpox disease, smallpox immunization issues (including vaccine safety), and the health strategies that may be used prior to a confirmed case or outbreak (such as, isolation and quarantine). 

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