Smallpox vaccine ?????

Specialties Emergency

Published

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!!!

I think I am going to get one. In light of what I do (ER and prehospital) I kind of think I am stuck. I dread the idea of getting the vaccination, but the alternative isn't much better!

OK...I got the smallpox vaccine on the 13th. The vaccine itslef didn't hurt at all...just a few little pokes-only enough to break the skin, slapped a dressing over it and I was good to go. I have the expected little pustule and it itches SOOOOOOO bad. Taking tons of Allegra and Claritin and it's not helping! I think I'll cut the whole stinking arm off. Seriously, I've had few side effects and I'm doing OK...the itching will go away in a couple weeks.

Specializes in Emergency Room/corrections.

I work for a Union hospital, and our Union has recommended we NOT get the vaccine. There is a fear that those people who are vaccinated will possibly create some strain of the virus to start.

We have an ER doc whose sig other works as an epidemiologist for the CDC, he says DO NOT get the vaccine. So, I think as a whole our dept has decided against it.

My family dr also said not to get it....

Properly cared for, you wil not spread it to others. It's not the actual smallpox virus, it's vaccinia. Thousands of health care workers across the US have been vaccinated adn there have been not unexpected side effects and only a few have had anything other than mild reactions. There have been no accidental innoculations reported.

The threat of a small pox outbreak is low, but if the worst does happen, we need people who are vaccinated and trained to care for those affected by the outbreak.

It was NOT an easy decision to get the vaccine, but now that my scab is getting ready to fall off, I guess I'm glad I did it.

I've had the smallpox vaccination twice as a child, can't have it right now d/t health problems.

These are the only reactions that have been reported by the media.

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/wire/sns-ap-smallpox-vaccinations0302mar02,0,5675484.story?coll=sns%2Dap%2Dhealth%2Dheadlines

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/health/1798387

interrsting fact: Several hospitals are not moving ahead with the vaccination because lack of support from physicians and nurses. Several hospitals in my area now are not giving the vaccination for that reason. Not enough participation.

WELL, I'M 8 DAYS POST VACCINATION- SO FAR I AM CLASSIFIED AS A "NO TAKE" I ONLY HAVE A SMALL RED DOT.

SO FAR I HAVE DECLINED RETAKE OF THE VACCINE- I HATE WEARING THE LONG SLEEVE TO WORK-- WAY TOO HOT IN OUR ER- OTHERS IN MY ER HAVE BEEN POSITIVE BUT NO SERIOS REACTIONS OR ADVERSE EFFECTS- ONLY LOCAL ITCHING-:rolleyes: :confused::

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

I work with immuno suppressed patients, therefore cannot take it,

Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

Show me one documented case of smallpox anywhere in the world and I'll take it again. But until then the risks are just not worth it.

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