Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.
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February 07, 2003
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Smallpox Vaccine Plan Hits a Snag"
Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (02/06/03) P. A18; Kemper, Vicki
The federal plan to create a first line of defense among health care providers in the event of a bioterrorist attack with the deadly disease smallpox has run into a major problem, as the vaccination program is far behind schedule with many health care employees balking at being immunized with a product that can cause illness and, in rare cases, death. Only 432 of the health-care providers originally slated to receive the vaccine have done so, and just a third of the states that were planning on finishing the first part of their vaccine campaigns by late February will have even started them at that time. Despite the problems at the health care level, federal officials say that they will begin offering the vaccine to eager public citizens as early as this summer, according to Joseph Henderson, the associate director for terrorism preparedness and response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The major issue blocking the adoption of the immunization campaign by health care workers is the lack of a compensation plan should individuals become ill from the vaccine, with Henderson stating that the government is trying to find a solution to the problem of compensation, with legislation being created that would provide for a compensation fund.
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OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
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YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.