Bush approves smallpox vaccinations for healthcare workers...

[NMAguiar]

Coming to an arm near you, a smallpox poke to protect emergency healthcare workers from a future bioterrorism attack.

President Bush is preparing the order to inoculate one million Americans for smallpox in response to a possible future bioterrorism attack. The initial stage of the decision would see 500,000 military personnel and 510,000 civilian medical workers receive the jab. A secondary phase would see thousands of additional healthcare workers receive the jab.

Are you concerned about possible dangers inherent with the vaccine? If asked, will you accept or reject the innoculation?

According to the stories published today, Los Angeles County has already ordered 20,000 doses.

[sjoe]

Well, SOME group has to serve as guinea pigs, after all.

[kae rn]

I really don't know. Been struggling with this one for awhile. I know I want to be able to help, so yes. But, I have a family that needs me and if something goes wrong, no. Anyone else feel that way?

[Dr. Kate, BSN, RN]

For me, this is the question that separates us older folks from the younger ones. I was first vaccinated as a baby, and I believe I got the last one before entering nursing school (but I could be wrong about that.) I see no reason not to be vaccinated. I still don't want smallpox and it remains a fearsome disease with a high death rate, tested over time as a means of biological warfare.

[l.rae]

Dr Kate, l was poked as a kid too...i was probably about 4yo...l have heard the immunity wears off...guess l would need to do some more research....but l never heard of any significant number of problems when they passed around the vaccine the first time............LR

[LasVegasRN]

Quite obviously, the government knows something we don't. Better get vaccinated.

[kae rn]

Las Vegas,

I agree the government knows something......It is probably worth the risk. I just worry about my being so willing to care for others, that I put my family at risk by not being able to care for them.

[maureeno]

I've got my sleeve rolled up...

[RN always, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by kae rn

Las Vegas,

I agree the government knows something......It is probably worth the risk. I just worry about my being so willing to care for others, that I put my family at risk by not being able to care for them.

I agree with kae rn. If I get the vaccine I would also want my family to get it too.

There is a good article about the vaccine in Sept 2002 of AJN. It enlightened me a bit about the subject. It's worth reading if you can get ahold of a copy.

[LasVegasRN]

I have no issue with that at all. I would want Emma to get it also.

Is this the same vaccine that left the permanent circle indentation on my arm from the 1970's?

[RN2B2005]

The thing about the smallpox vaccine is, when things go wrong, they go horribly wrong. And statistically, someone who is inoculated in that first group of 500,000 healthcare workers is bound to die as a direct result of the vaccine. Someone who was otherwise healthy. I'm not sure about how the American public is going to handle that when it occurs, and it will occur.

I'd still be willing to be vaccinated, though.

[Andy S., BSN, RN]

The smallpox vaccine has a less than 1% mortality rate associated with it. The reason it was pulled from the shelf was that once the disease was irradicated, ANY mortality rate was too high. The risk then out weighed the benefit. If you think about it most of the the medications we give out everyday have the same or higher mortality rate associated with them.

I would get the vaccine if they offered it.

Andy