For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Grave Concerns Still Surround Smallpox Vaccination Program
AFSCME Renews Call for Comprehensive Federally Funded Plan
WASHINGTON —The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) today, said that the administration still has not addressed most of the concerns surrounding the implementation of the Smallpox Vaccination Program.
In testimony before the Senate Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, AFSCME Assistant Director for Health and Safety, James August called on Congress to protect healthcare workers by creating a comprehensive and federally funded plan that will ensure vaccinations are administered safely. August also urged Congress to provide reliable compensation and medical care for workers, their families and patients who are harmed by the vaccination or exposure to the vaccinia virus.
"Adequate funding and requirements for educating, screening, monitoring and treating workers must be provided to avoid serious vaccine induced adverse effects," August said.
The components needed for a comprehensive plan as outlined by AFSCME included:
- Careful and thorough screening before vaccinating and training workers about the risks of vaccination to themselves, and potential for transmitting the vaccinia virus.
- Informing workers about the availability or lack of compensation and medical care, in the event of side effects that require time from work.
- Informing workers of their job responsibilities in the event there are smallpox cases.
- Safeguards against discrimination for workers who experience adverse reactions or who chose not to get vaccinated.
- Vigilant medical surveillance following vaccinations, with guaranteed access to medical treatment for those vaccinated and those who suffer accidental transmission.
In calling for a Federal compensation fund August noted, "It is unacceptable to ask health care and emergency workers to volunteer to be on the front lines in the defense of the nation and at the same time tell them that if they or their family members are harmed by the vaccine, they are on their own regarding medical care and compensation."
AFSCME has also raised concerns that the program fails to implement the use of safety-designed needles to protect those administering the smallpox vaccine and provides no safeguards to prevent employers from improperly coercing employees to receive the vaccine.
AFSCME, the nation's largest public service and healthcare employees union, has more than 1.3 million members.
- Full text of testimony of James August
