Everyone who wants a smallpox vaccination eventually would be able to get one under a three-stage plan drafted by Connecticut health officials.

Wednesday, state health officials discussed with the media their smallpox response plan, which all states are required to supply to the federal government.

About 6,300 health care workers in special smallpox teams will be the first to be vaccinated in Connecticut.

The second stage of the plan calls for the vaccination of some 125,000 health care workers, emergency department staff and police and fire personnel who might come in contact with the highly contagious and deadly virus during an outbreak.

The second stage would begin after the first stage is completed and would take at least six months, officials estimated.

The vaccinations, which in rare cases cause severe side effects, would be voluntary.

When a new generation of vaccines, which theoretically would have fewer side effects, becomes available in the next few years, the vaccine will be made available to anyone who wants to get one, state officials said.

State officials have begun a media relations campaign to discuss the state's proposals, which are scheduled to be delivered Friday to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Federal review of the state plans will follow, and the first stage of vaccinations would begin within 60 days of federal approval.