Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Briefed Secretary Thompson about the upcoming smallpox vaccination policy and role-out. Also present were Julie Gerberding, Stewart Simonson, Michael Osterholm, Jerry Hauer, Les Crawford, Ann Agnew, Terrell Halaska, etc. We are advancing towards the 3 stage policy that ultimately would allow voluntary vaccination for anyone who wants it. Had briefing at the White House on the fact that West Nile Virus can now be spread via blood transfusions (and transplants). We are in the midst of a major epidemic with about 1641 cases and 80 deaths. It has been clearly documentd now that blood transfusions can transmit WNV. We discussed how we would handle the press, etc. I strongly suggested that we avoid the mistakes of the early 1980s regarding HIV and the blood supply. I suggested that we obviously try to avoid panic, but that we make it clear that transfusions are NOT entirely risk free with regard to WNV as well as several other pathogens. It is a question of relative risk of the transfusion versus not getting the transfusion. INCREDIBLE evening – Bono the lead singer of U-2 and the best selling musician in history had called my office yesterday (his chief-of-staff) to say that he wanted to talk to me by phone or preferably in person to discuss how we could partner and how he could help me in my work on trying to get AIDS treament and care and prevention to sub- Saharan Africa. He had, this past year, gone to Africa in a much-publicized trip with Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill. At mid-day we got a call that Bono wanted to fly from Chicago to speak with me in person that evening. He did and we met at my house. We had wine, Chris cooked pasta and we had an amazing evening, talking for hours. He is alsolutely fantastic, passionate and very intelligent. He will try to help by supporting me and President Bush in the evolution of our implementation plan for Africa. Also visiting was his staff Jamie Drummond, Lucy Matthew, and Katrina...... We promised to stay in close touch and work together. I did not tell Jenny, Megan and Alison that Bono was coming to the house for dinner. When he walked in the door, they were speechless; however, he was wonderful with them. They (and I) will never forget this extraordinary night.