More than 80 Alabama healthcare workers received the smallpox vaccine last week, yet area hospitals, such as Auburn's East Alabama Medical Center, are not participating in the vaccination process.

The Alabama Department of Public Health received doses of the vaccine earlier this month from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta.

Each of Alabama's 11 districts received doses of the vaccine.

The Auburn area is located in area eight, which includes Lee, Russell, Bullock, Macon, Montgomery, Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties. EAMC and other area hospitals have decided not to offer the vaccine.

"After carefully weighing the alternatives, we decided not to participate in the vaccination program at this time," said John Atkinson, public relations manager for EAMC. "It is our feeling that the risks associated with the vaccination currently outweigh the risks of a major smallpox event."

The smallpox vaccine is being administered in an attempt to prepare for possible attacks of bioterrorism.

Each of Alabama's 11 areas plans to have one smallpox public health response team and at least one hospital-based smallpox healthcare response teams.

If actual cases of smallpox occur, these teams will mobilize and provide vaccinations and care for those who are exposed.

"We do plan to move forward with the development of a smallpox response protocol and a team of caregivers, who will be educated on the appropriate, safe procedures for care of smallpox victims," Atkinson said.

Vaccinating health care workers is only the first phase of the vaccination process, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

This first phase is expected to take about 45 days.

"The second phase of the vaccinations will be public officials such as police officers and firemen," said Ross Hudson, a public health employee.

Vaccinations are being given on a volunteer basis. Each healthcare worker who wishes to be vaccinated must watch a video and read a booklet of information on the disease and the vaccine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the world's last case of naturally acquired smallpox was in 1977.

The last case of confirmed smallpox in the United States was in 1949, but vaccination continued through the early 1970s.

After receiving the vaccine, protection from infection lasts from three to five years.

Protection from severe illness and death can last for 10 years or more after the vaccine.

Though the vaccine is currently being given as a precautionary measure, a person can get the vaccination up to three days after exposure to the virus.