Smallpox Vaccination for Response Teams: The Decision is Yours!

1. of and Smallpox Vaccination for Response Teams The Decision is Yours!

2. US Government Backs Vaccination • After the events of September and October, 2001, the US government took steps to improve the country’s preparedness against terrorism, including bioterrorism. • On Friday, December 13, 2002, President Bush announced plans to provide specific groups of people with smallpox vaccinations. • Vaccination is voluntary

3. Smallpox Response Teams • Public Health Response Teams (5 regional teams) • Physician team leader • Epidemiologist • Public health nurse/vaccinator • Lab worker • Law enforcement agent • State regional planner • LINCS regional planner • Industrial hygienist

4. Smallpox Response Teams • Hospital Health Care Response Teams (1 per hospital) • ED and ICU nurses, physicians, technicians • Housekeeping/laundry • Security • Respiratory therapy • Infection control • Lab • Sub-specialists: Pulmonary, Dermatology, ID, Peds, etc • Engineering/HVAC • Occupational health/vaccinators

5. What you need to know… • Smallpox Disease • Smallpox Vaccine • Normal and abnormal vaccine reactions • Caring for the vaccination site • Who should not get the vaccine • Risks vs benefits

6. What you need to know… • Smallpox – The risks • Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide • There has not been a case of smallpox since 1977 • Historically, 30% of smallpox patients died • Smallpox virus samples are retained by two recognized authorities, one in US, one in Russia • No imminent threat of an attack with smallpox

7. What you need to know… • Smallpox – The Disease • A serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal disease caused by variola virus • Virus spreads through the air, infected body fluids, contaminated objects such as clothing and bed linens • Historically the death rate was 30% • No specific treatment or cure • Only prevention is vaccination • Disease was eradicated worldwide in 1978, general vaccination in US ended in 1972

8. Smallpox

9. What you need to know… • Smallpox – The Vaccine • The only effective prevention • Made from live vaccinia virus • Vaccination site must be cared for very carefully to avoid further spread of virus • Side effects • Provides high level of protection 3-5 years, decreases with time

10. What you need to know… • Smallpox – The Vaccine cont. • Vaccine given by a needle with two points (“bifurcated needle”)

11. What you need to know… • Needle dipped into a vial of liquid vaccine

12. What you need to know… • Skin of upper arm is pricked several times • Sore spot and small drop of blood form

13. What you need to know… • Smallpox Vaccination Progression

14. What you need to know… • Normal vaccination reactions

15. What you need to know… • Abnormal vaccination reactions • Generalized vaccinia • Inadvertant inoculation • Death

16. What you need to know… • When the vaccine virus spreads to other parts of the body, it is known as autoinoculation.

17. What you need to know…

18. Caring for the vaccination site • Cover site with gauze bandage, use medical tape to keep in place • Wear a shirt that covers the site • Change bandage every 1-2 days • WASH HANDS with soap and water after contact with bandages or touching vaccination site • Keep site dry. When showering, cover site with a waterproof bandage or plastic kitchen wrap over the gauze pad • Put contaminated bandages in sealed plastic bag and throw away • Wash clothing or any other materials that come in contact with vaccine site

19. What you need to know… • Caring for the vaccination site

20. What you need to know… • Smallpox Vaccine – The risks • The vaccine virus is live and can be spread to other parts of the body, or to other people • Side effects – normal include fever, soreness, muscle and head aches • Side effects can also be severe, even life threatening • Certain groups of people should not receive the vaccine

21. What you need to know… • Who should NOT get the smallpox vaccine • Eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, burns, open skin conditions • Weakened immune systems • HIV positive • Pregnant, breastfeeding • Cancer • Transplant recipients If you or someone you live with has any of the above conditions, you should NOT receive the vaccine!!!

22. What you need to know… • Allergy to vaccine components • Polymyxin B • Streptomycin • Chlortetracycline • Neomycin • Allergy to previous dose of smallpox vaccine

23. What you need to know… • Smallpox Vaccine – The benefits • The vaccine offers the best protection available if you are exposed to smallpox • Becoming vaccinated would fill a critical role within your organization’s response team

24. Making the Decision… • Points to consider: • This is a VOLUNTARY program • Do you, or any household members, have any of the contraindications? • Do you feel capable of caring for the vaccination site properly? • Do you feel that you can prevent the spread of the virus to other parts of the body or to others? • Are you willing to accept the small risk of potentially serious side effects? • Are you willing to care for a smallpox patient?

25. Economic Issues • Liability • Disability coverage • Personal insurance • Non-discrimination • Confidentiality