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By TIM REYNOLDS
The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 11, 2003; 11:23 PM

More than 500 people were vaccinated for smallpox on the first day of the state's inoculation program for health workers, officials said Tuesday.

One woman suffered a mild allergic reaction during Monday's vaccinations. It was believed to be the first adverse reaction since the voluntary program started nationwide last month. The woman, who was not identified, was treated and released.

State health secretary Dr. John Agwunobi said officials "were very relieved to see that the individual is getting better. Right now we're all feeling a great sigh of relief."

Florida's vaccination program is designed to create a team that could safely respond if the disease is used as part of a bioterrorist attack. Officials said up to 2,000 state public health employees were expected to be vaccinated through the week.

The number of first-day inoculations in Florida dwarfs the released totals of any of the other 19 states that have reported data from their inoculation programs.

Through Sunday, 1,024 health employees in those states had volunteered to receive the inoculation, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.