Smallpox Vaccine Program: Danger for Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In January, Pres. Gerald W. McEntee wrote to Pres. George W. Bush — on behalf of the union's 350,000 health care workers and emergency first responders — urging a delay in implementing the federal Smallpox Vaccination Program.
The medical community is debating whether the unknown potential risks of a smallpox attack outweigh the hazards of the smallpox vaccine. It is expected that out of 1 million people vaccinated, there will be two deaths and up to 52 life-threatening conditions. About 1,000 will become seriously ill, and one-third will miss one or two days of work.
"Given this profile of high vaccination risk and likely very low-to-zero benefit," stated the Institute of Medicine, "the administration's policy ... must be implemented in a most prudent and cautious manner." The American Academy of Pediatrics says it makes more sense to vaccinate only if there is an outbreak. The vaccine is very effective at preventing infection if given within three days after exposure and provides some protection if received four to seven days later.
In congressional testimony, AFSCME has requested emergency legislation to require a number of protections:
Mandatory Education — on the vaccine that includes the risks to those being vaccinated and the potential to transmit the virus.
Medical Screening — available to all being asked to volunteer for vaccination, including free and confidential medical testing, to determine any health risks.
Medical Monitoring and Treatment — ongoing monitoring to rapidly identify and treat adverse reactions to the vaccine.
No Discrimination — no pressure on, or retaliation against, workers refusing to volunteer for vaccination.
Safe Needles — protecting against accidental needlesticks. The vaccine should be administered with needles meeting OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The needles sent out with the vaccine do not meet this standard.
AFSCME is demanding federal financial support for the states' expenditures — and a federal fund to pick up all lost wages and medical care costs for workers as well as patients and family members infected by a vaccinated worker.
Some AFSCME affiliates are recommending that their members not volunteer for the program until these issues are satisfactorily resolved.
Get the facts before you volunteer.
Log on to the AFSCME Web site and click on "Health & Safety" for information. And contact your U.S. senators and representative at (202) 224-3121; ask them to protect those who will be on the homeland-security front lines.
