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January 17, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Unions Call for Changes in Smallpox Vaccine Program" Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (01/17/03) P. A13; Connolly, Ceci

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees want the president to stop smallpox vaccinations of health care workers until the administration agrees to provide medical screening for volunteers and compensation for those injured by the vaccine.  The SEIU says that if the administration does not agree, it will advise its 750,000 health sector members to not participate in the immunizations, and some hospitals are already refusing due to safety concerns.  Acting assistant secretary for public health and emergency preparedness Jerome M. Hauer says he will not postpone the program, though he will continue to look into the safety and compensation issues; both Congress and the administration have protected vaccine makers and administrators from liability.  But the Homeland Security Act would require those injured by the vaccine to sue the federal government and prove negligence.  The organizations want the administration to pay for medical tests to screen out those with weakened immune systems or eczema, and those who are pregnant.

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS 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 COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.