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For Immediate Release: February 20, 2003 (03-034)
Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office
360-236-4076
Tim Church, Communications Office
360-236-4077
First public health workers receive smallpox vaccination in Washington state
State Department of Health conducts first Stage 1 pilot clinic
Camp Murray ¾ Several public health workers rolled up their sleeves to receive a smallpox vaccination today as the Washington State Department of Health conducted its first smallpox vaccination pilot clinic. The clinic, held at Camp Murray just south of Tacoma, is the first of two pilot clinics run by the state agency, with the Eastern Washington Pilot Clinic set for February 25 at the National Guard Armory in Moses Lake.
During the first two clinics, the state expects to train and inoculate about 100 public health volunteers who will begin forming smallpox response teams. Following the state clinics, regional clinics are planned to vaccinate additional local public health staff and volunteers from hospitals who will make up hospital response teams. The regional clinics will be operated by local public health agencies.
"These dedicated public health workers have volunteered to be leaders in our emergency preparedness efforts," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "It is prudent to have a limited number of people vaccinated against smallpox to ensure rapid response in the event of an attack. That is one of the important roles of public health in homeland security."
The Washington State Stage 1 Smallpox Vaccination Plan is part of the national effort to be better prepared to respond to acts of bioterrorism. The Stage 1 Plan develops smallpox response teams, vaccinating a limited number of public health and hospital workers to improve the ability to respond to a suspected or confirmed case of smallpox. The Department of Health has been working closely with local health agencies, hospitals, and health care providers to develop a plan that balances emergency preparedness with a safe and responsible smallpox vaccination program.
"These volunteers are the people who would most likely be the first to come in contact with a suspected or actual smallpox case," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "Participation is strictly voluntary, and volunteers receiving the vaccine today have undergone medical screening to make sure they’re not at high risk of an adverse reaction to the vaccine."
The vaccine does not contain the smallpox virus; it contains a related live virus called vaccinia. Volunteers have received thorough instructions on what to do after they’re vaccinated, and will be monitored to help prevent the spread of the vaccinia virus. The additional volunteers who will receive the smallpox vaccine at the nine regional clinics in the weeks ahead will undergo this same training and medical screening process. The state has been divided into nine regions, which will coordinate and conduct their own smallpox vaccination clinics based on regional needs.
The Department of Health has been discussing several issues at state and national levels while planning the pilot clinics. While some questions about the extent of liability protections and a compensation fund remain, the agency believes the major elements necessary to begin Stage 1 vaccination in Washington have been put in place. We continue working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to resolve the remaining questions.
Currently, the smallpox vaccine is not available for the general public. Public health officials stress the risk of side effects from the vaccine outweighs the known threat at this time. There has not been a smallpox case in the world since the 1970s.
The Department of Health Web site has more information on the Washington State Stage 1 Smallpox Vaccination Plan (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2002_News/02-202.htm). The agency Web site also has additional information on the Smallpox Vaccine (http://www.doh.wa.gov/BioTerr/faqsmallpoxvaccine.htm) and on the Smallpox Disease (http://www.doh.wa.gov/BioTerr/faqsmallpox.htm).
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