Occupational hazards

Tennessee's Public Health Department in accordance with CDC guidelines is preparing for a smallpox outbreak, and their plan begins with vaccinating "public health workers who will be responsible for investigating and evaluating initial suspect cases of smallpox, implementing quarantine procedures and vaccinating exposed persons".  As a healthcare worker and a member of our facility's bioterrorism team, I've been asked to volunteer for the vaccination - most likely to take place in January.  Admittedly, I'm not very eager.  And I've done a little research.  Reading this article posted in the EMS Network publication gives me pause.  I've been told 1 in 10 people vaccinated will miss 2 work days due to getting sick from the vaccination.  A sniffle or sore throat for a day or two doesn't worry me.  But to be sick for a longer period of time would just plain suck.  I remember getting the vaccination as a child.  CNN reported in September 2002  " The government used to routinely vaccinate children, but stopped in 1971. It is not known whether those who received a vaccine before that time would be protected against the virus."  There are websites dedicated to warning the public about the dangers of vaccinations - reminding us that smallpox was eradicated worldwide by 1977 and that the only deaths attributed to smallpox since 1970 were from the vaccine itself.  The Homeland Security Act goes so far as to address the potential liability vaccine manufacturers (and the government)  might be facing if anyone is injured or, God forbid, actually die from the result of the vaccination.  This "countermeasure" is covered under Section 304 of the Homeland Security Act, and the CDC has a Q & A page "explaining" Section 304.   I suppose everyone has to cover their ass in the event the "plan" goes awry. 

I haven't decided whether to volunteer or not. I definitely want to learn more before I see the syringe.

5:44:51 PM