August 2016

Over the past 12 months, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing Zika in the news. The virus has been linked to thousands of cases of microcephaly in Brazilian babies. Numerous countries, including the United States, have reported Zika-related deaths. And there is no vaccine available at this time. In the face of what has become a global health crisis, the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) at the NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) responded to a call from Anthony Fauci, Ph.D., head, NIAID, to get a candidate vaccine into human trials by the summer of 2016.

On any given day, you can find a variety of bargains on items forgotten by some but coveted by others at the Thrift Shop at Fort Detrick. For instance, near the back of the modest shop is a complete hand-painted set of bowls, plates, and mugs, along with lightly worn military and civilian clothing. Closer to the front are diverse and engaging antique books; jade, glass, and clay vases; two maple violins; and an assortment of Bud Light beer signs. It’s all kept in a nondescript, straw-colored house on Porter Street near Veterans Gate. Inside, you’ll find a shop filled with fragrances and shelves redolent of history and the past.