Smallpox Vaccination for Response Teams The Decision is

Smallpox Vaccination for Response Teams The Decision is Yours! of and

US Government Backs Vaccination After the events of September and October, 2001, the US government took steps to improve the country’s preparedness against terrorism, including bioterrorism. n On Friday, December 13, 2002, President Bush announced plans to provide specific groups of people with smallpox vaccinations. n Vaccination is voluntary n

Smallpox Response Teams n Public Health Response Teams (5 regional teams) u Physician team leader u Epidemiologist u Public health nurse/vaccinator u Lab worker u Law enforcement agent u State regional planner u LINCS regional planner u Industrial hygienist

Smallpox Response Teams n Hospital Health Care Response Teams (1 per hospital) u ED and ICU nurses, physicians, technicians u Housekeeping/laundry u Security u Respiratory therapy u Infection control u Lab u Sub-specialists: Pulmonary, Dermatology, ID, Peds, etc u Engineering/HVAC u Occupational health/vaccinators

What you need to know… Smallpox Disease n Smallpox Vaccine n Normal and abnormal vaccine reactions n Caring for the vaccination site n Who should not get the vaccine n Risks vs benefits n

What you need to know… n Smallpox – The risks u Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide u There has not been a case of smallpox since 1977 u Historically, 30% of smallpox patients died u Smallpox virus samples are retained by two recognized authorities, one in US, one in Russia u No imminent threat of an attack with smallpox

What you need to know… n Smallpox – The Disease u A serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal disease caused by variola virus u Virus spreads through the air, infected body fluids, contaminated objects such as clothing and bed linens u Historically the death rate was 30% u No specific treatment or cure u Only prevention is vaccination u Disease was eradicated worldwide in 1978, general vaccination in US ended in 1972

Smallpox

What you need to know… n Smallpox – The Vaccine u The only effective prevention u Made from live vaccinia virus u Vaccination site must be cared for very carefully to avoid further spread of virus u Side effects u Provides high level of protection 3 -5 years, decreases with time

What you need to know… n Smallpox – The Vaccine cont. u Vaccine given by a needle with two points (“bifurcated needle”)

What you need to know… n Needle dipped into a vial of liquid vaccine

What you need to know… n Skin of upper arm is pricked several times §Sore spot and small drop of blood form

What you need to know… n Smallpox Vaccination Progression

What you need to know… n Normal vaccination reactions

What you need to know… n Abnormal vaccination reactions u Generalized vaccinia u Inadvertant inoculation u Death

What you need to know… n When the vaccine virus spreads to other parts of the body, it is known as autoinoculation.

What you need to know…

n Caring for the vaccination site u Cover site with gauze bandage, use medical tape to keep in place u Wear a shirt that covers the site u Change bandage every 1 -2 days u WASH HANDS with soap and water after contact with bandages or touching vaccination site u Keep site dry. When showering, cover site with a waterproof bandage or plastic kitchen wrap over the gauze pad u Put contaminated bandages in sealed plastic bag and throw away u Wash clothing or any other materials that come in contact with vaccine site

What you need to know… n Caring for the vaccination site

What you need to know… n Smallpox Vaccine – The risks u The vaccine virus is live and can be spread to other parts of the body, or to other people u Side effects – normal include fever, soreness, muscle and head aches u Side effects can also be severe, even life threatening u Certain groups of people should not receive the vaccine

What you need to know… n Who should NOT get the smallpox vaccine u Eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, burns, open skin conditions u Weakened immune systems u HIV positive u Pregnant, breastfeeding u Cancer u Transplant recipients If you or someone you live with has any of the above conditions, you should NOT receive the vaccine!!!

What you need to know… Allergy to vaccine components u Polymyxin B u Streptomycin u Chlortetracycline u Neomycin n Allergy to previous dose of smallpox vaccine n

What you need to know… n Smallpox Vaccine – The benefits u The vaccine offers the best protection available if you are exposed to smallpox u Becoming vaccinated would fill a critical role within your organization’s response team

Making the Decision… n Points to consider: u This is a VOLUNTARY program u Do you, or any household members, have any of the contraindications? u Do you feel capable of caring for the vaccination site properly? u Do you feel that you can prevent the spread of the virus to other parts of the body or to others? u Are you willing to accept the small risk of potentially serious side effects? u Are you willing to care for a smallpox patient?

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