[suziq]

I was wondering what everyone thinks about the smallpox vaccine. If and when the vaccine becomes available, it has been reccommended that all ER personell should be vaccinated. After doing some research, I'm not sure that I would want to take that risk. I work in a fairly busy (37,000 pts./yr.) community ED in upstate NY.....don't think we would be at risk,except for the nuclear research lab that is located about 30 miles outside of our city.

What will you do if this becomes a reality????

SuziQ

PS. I'm fairly new to this forum...if this has already been discussed....sorry to bring it up again!!!

[RNConnieF]

Is this going to be the same vaccine we got as children? (Well SOME of us got it) I havn't heard.

[caroladybelle]

I got vaccinated as a child - five times - have the military vaccination card to prove it (was unable to get a "good bubble up " on my arm several times - it looks like more than one type of vaccine used, by the card. Anyone know the immunological value of that?

Oh, the joy of being a Navy brat - a guinepig for unusual vaccines. And that they would vaccinate us in the 60's without a signed consent.

[traumaRUs]

I work in central Illinois - what would they want here?? The corn??? Seriously, I too was vaccinated while active duty military and don't know how I feel about this. I do feel though that if we are at risk - we should at least get all the info, so that we can make informed decisions.

[maureeno]

with the way people travel in this country, exposure would be widespread before the first cases even were discovered.
Actual contact, direct or indirect, is not necessary. The virus enters through the respiratory route, multiplying for 1-2 weeks in the lymph nodes and lungs. Next follows 2 days of febrile viremia. It is during this phase it circulates and localizes in the skin. One is contagious well befor the 'pox' appears.

I wish we were all already immunized. The greatest tragedy is we could have eliminated this virus off the face of the earth. Humans choose to keep it around as a weapon.

[RN always]

There is a really good article in Sep 2002 AJN regarding small pox vaccine. You can also get CE credits from reading the article. I learned a lot. Has pictures even!

[Gizmed]

This vaccine isn't the same one many of us received as kids, or during our years in the service...and therein lies many of the problems...fact is; that there will be adverse effects for a few of those who get vaccinated (know one that doesn't?) which will undoubtably be highly and VISIBLY published everywhere (raise those ratings!!). As was posted before; its contagious prior to onset of signs...so by the time its out there it will be a bit late. The time to make your personal decision is now.

[RNFROG3]

I was vaccinated as a child and in the military in 82. Its scary but the alternative could be so much worse. I would really have to think before I said don't keep me safe so I can treat others. Isn't that part of the EMS creed one must protect themselves before one can treat others.All meds and vaccines have side effects and some will have bed and even deathly reactions- but are we proactive or reactive in nursing?

[fab4fan]

I fall into one of the categories that exclude you from getting the vaccine (derm. probs.). It does concern me to some degree, because I live in an area that this could be a problem...there's a stockpile of the virus just about 5mi from my home, and we are very close to several metro areas.

I'll just take my chances...I am NOT getting the vaccine unless I have been exposed; makes me wonder if my derm. probs. that started in childhood were r/t the vaccine.

[Kim Steinmann]

It appears there is quite a controversy about the smallpox vaccine and there isn't any real guarantees that those who were immunized as children won't have a reaction. There is also a concern that if you were to become disabled as a result, would the hospital pay disability. Our hospital is still researching this.