New Bern police and fire personnel saw the good and the bad of smallpox vaccinations during presentations on Thursday.

Though Craven County's vaccination program has been put on hold, police officers and firefighters could receive the smallpox shots when stage 2 of the program eventually continues.

Wanda Sandelé, Craven County health director, told the group that getting the vaccine was up to them.

"You and only you know how you perceive your job," Sandelé told fire department officers. "No one will think any less of you if you do not take it."

The firefighters had a lot to mull over.

Sandelé and Theresa Ellen, health department nursing director, explained who should not take the vaccine and how the vaccine could affect family members.

One firefighter asked if family members should get the vaccination as well. Sandelé said family members would not receive the vaccination until the government called for mass inoculation.

During the briefings, the first responders were given a color brochure showing graphic photographs of people who developed a reaction from the smallpox vaccination. Some firefighters squirmed as they viewed the pictures.

"As a first responder, you will have the opportunity to take the vaccination," Sandelé said. "You must decide if it is important to your job."

Heart problems, including two deaths nationwide, in some who have received the vaccinations have prompted new concerns about the vaccination. What has put a halt to the program in this state is liability concerns should side effects occur.

Sandelé said no one in Craven County who has received a vaccination has shown adverse reactions.

She said information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov or through a CDC booklet.

"The smallpox issue has taken on a life of its own," Sandelé said. "Publicity has stirred up questions. We get new information daily from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All of you receive different information from your various supportive organizations.

"Right now, it was thought that first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, rescue squad personnel and so on, would be administered the smallpox vaccine by now. The holdup is the fear of litigation by the state. North Carolina is waiting to see how the federal government will be handling the litigation issue."

A Senate committee on Wednesday passed along party lines a compensation bill that would provide $262,000 for the most serious adverse reactions, including death. Democrats promised a fight on the Senate floor over the amount of compensation.



Francine Sawyer can be reached at 638-8101 ext. 268 or at francine_sawyer@link.freedom.com.