Facts About the Smallpox Vaccine Program
(12/02)
Before you volunteer to receive a smallpox vaccine, download and fill out this checklist to help you evaluate specific smallpox vaccination plan safeguards.
President Bush has announced the Federal government's Smallpox Vaccination Program, a program that includes asking front line hospital workers to volunteer to be vaccinated against smallpox. The vaccinations of health care workers will begin some time after January 24, 2003.
As a health care worker, you will have to make your own decision as to whether you should volunteer to be vaccinated. However, before you do, consider the facts.
The decision to be vaccinated is strictly VOLUNTARY.
- The smallpox vaccine carries risk to yourself, your family and/or members of your household, and patients you are in contact with.
- Training and education should be provided to you by your employer prior to your being asked to make a decision.
- You should not be penalized or discriminated against in matters of pay, benefits, or job status, if you decline the vaccine.
The smallpox vaccination carries risks.
The vaccine infects you with "live" Vaccinia virus, that protects you against smallpox. The vaccine is effective in preventing the disease; you have a 90% chance of preventing the disease if you are vaccinated within three days after exposure. The vaccinia virus is not the smallpox virus and cannot give you smallpox, but it can cause severe reactions, complications and even death.
- 15 out of every 1 million people vaccinated for the first time will face life-threatening complications.
- Many more will suffer fever and swollen lymph nodes.
- It has been reported that over 30% of people vaccinated can anticipate significant malaise, and flu-like symptoms. It can be anticipated that a significant number of vaccinated workers may become sick enough to miss at least one day of work.
- Severe side effects usually appear within three weeks.
- One or two people out of every 1 million people vaccinated will die.
Reactions to the vaccine are less common for those being re-vaccinated. Some volunteers may have been vaccinated for smallpox in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. There should be fewer reactions, when they are re-vaccinated, but reactions may still be severe.
Medical screening, which is free and confidential, should be offered and made available to you and your family/household members to ensure that no conditions exist which could put you or them at risk of adverse reactions.
You should not volunteer to get vaccinated if you have any of these conditions or live in a household with someone who has any of these conditions:
- infected with HIV, or do not know if you are infected with HIV
- cancer or any other medical conditions that compromises the immune system
- skin disorders such as eczema or dermatitis (current or past)
- allergies to certain antibiotics used with the vaccine
- allergies to latex products
- a medical need to take high doses of steroids; or
- pregnancy
- women who are breast feeding
Before you volunteer to be vaccinated, find out if the following protections are in place:
- a training and education program that is conducted by a competent, knowledgeable instructor, and provides an opportunity to ask questions. The training should be more than just being handed a packet of written information.
- free, on-the-clock counseling to help you decide whether you should be vaccinated;
- protection from discrimination for refusing to take the vaccine or participate in the smallpox vaccination program. A clear written policy regarding non-discrimination should be in place.
- confidential, free, and voluntary medical screening for volunteers, and their families and/or household members, for conditions which contraindicate being a candidate for the vaccine.
- clear policies, such as guaranteed paid administrative leave, for loss of time due to sickness or adverse reaction to the vaccine. Workers who volunteer should not be made to use personal sick leave, unpaid leave or vacation time.
- compensation for personal, family, household members' medical costs resulting from vaccine complications.
- For health care workers who may be expected to administer the vaccine, the Federal Needlestick Prevention and Safety Act of 2000 requires the use of safer needles with integrated safety features, to prevent worker needlestick injuries.
Additional information about smallpox and the vaccine is available on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website at
Download: Smallpox Vaccination Program Facts
UFCW International Union, Occupational Safety and Health Office 12/20/02
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