Volume 11, Issue 4 February 14, 2003
Smallpox Vaccination Clinics Planned Timing Unsure
submitted by Sheila Robinson
There have been many changes at the federal level in elements of the program such as protocols for security, protocols for the vaccination team, clarifying bio-waste issues, and figuring out who pays for what.
The government started
implementing a vaccination plan and found they needed to fine tune some things.
My reason for telling you this is so you understand when I say that we have no
firm dates for vaccinations. As soon as we have definite dates, I will work with
your managers to schedule you & let you know.
If there are any questions about
any part of the smallpox vaccination program, feel free to contact Dennis
Criswell or myself. We are inundated
daily with updates. You can also go to Centers
for Disease Control for constant updates directly from the federal
government.
In This Corner by Jon D. Smiley, C.E.O.
On September 11th the American people learned that life will never quite be the same again. While we are relatively free from the terrors of Middle East and many other troubled areas, we now also know that the US borders cannot be completely protected.
That is part of the reason that the State and Federal Governments are working on a smallpox immunization program. Do I believe that the Lower Valley is in imminent threat from the forces that hate America - no not really. But, we must also take some common sense precautions because of the world we live in today.
One of those precautions is for a certain portion of the healthcare community to be vaccinated against an outbreak of smallpox.
This is a personal decision. You will not be criticized if you elect not to participate. Likewise you will not be identified, or unduly "called out" if you do receive the vaccine. Many of us are old enough to remember smallpox vaccinations from years gone by. I intend to be a vaccinated when the time comes here at the hospital.
If you are in direct patient care in any way, I urge you to discuss the options with your family and your own personal physician and make an informed decision.