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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December 06, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"Health Care Union Wants Smallpox Coverage"
Associated Press (www.ap.org) (12/05/02); Meckler, Laura
The Service Employees International Union is calling for protections for
health care workers who will be vaccinated against smallpox. Officials
from the union--the largest union representing health care workers in the
United States--talked with White House officials this week, trying to make
sure, for example, that workers who become sick from the vaccine can take
time off with pay and that people offered the smallpox vaccine are properly
screened beforehand. The Bush administration is expected to unveil its
plan for smallpox vaccinations very soon, and officials say the vaccine
will initially be offered to those most likely to be exposed to a
contagious patient, such as individuals investigating the cases and workers
in hospital emergency rooms.
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.