For Immediate Release: March 31, 2003 (03-054)

Contacts:  Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077

OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health today announced it is temporarily postponing smallpox vaccination clinics. The department has asked all public health emergency preparedness regions in Washington to defer clinics scheduled for the next two weeks so the agency can implement new measures to defer vaccination for people at risk for heart disease.

Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it is investigating heart attacks and other types of heart problems in people who had recently been vaccinated. While these events are not necessarily related to the vaccine, the CDC is investigating the possibility and has updated the health screening procedures states are using during clinics. Postponing the clinics will allow the Department of Health to review the new recommendations and provide training on them to clinic staff.

"Safely vaccinating volunteers in our state is our number one priority, " said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "We will continue to take a responsible, cautious approach to the vaccination program. The delay will give us time to get this new information out to clinic staff and to people being vaccinated."

As of Monday, March 24, people who have been diagnosed as having heart problems are not receiving the vaccine. The CDC has now also asked all states to defer any volunteers with three or more major risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

According to Selecky, public health emergency preparedness regions that have clinics scheduled in the next two weeks have been asked to reschedule them after April 14, 2003. Regional representatives are now notifying vaccination volunteers of the delay.

As of last Friday (March 28, 2003), 381 people have received the smallpox vaccination in our state. 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 worked 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. The state has been divided into nine public health regions, which are coordinating and conducting their own smallpox vaccination clinics based on regional needs.

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 are being monitored to help prevent the spread of the vaccinia virus.

The smallpox vaccine is not recommended or 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/phepr/smallpox/faq_stage1.htm). The agency Web site also has additional information on the Smallpox Vaccine (http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/smallpox/faqsmallpoxvaccine.htm) and on the Smallpox Disease (http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/smallpoxfact.htm).

###

DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information

Contact Information for the Department of Health Last Update : 12/18/2006 11:07 AM Send inquires about DOH and its programs to the Health Consumer Assistance Office Comments or questions regarding this web site? Send mail to the Webmaster .