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Bioterrorism preparedness
Health Advisory: Smallpox Vaccine (Vaccinia) Adverse Event Recognition and Management for King County Health Care Providers
January 13, 2003
It is important for all health care providers to know that the first stages of the National Smallpox Vaccination Plan (NSVP) are in progress. Therefore, it is possible, although unlikely at this time, that persons with adverse events related to smallpox vaccination including secondary vaccinia virus infection will present to health care providers in the community for evaluation and care. This advisory provides important information and resources related to adverse events associated with smallpox vaccination.
As part of Stage One of the NSVP, vaccination of Smallpox Health Care Teams is beginning for personnel at certain military bases and U.S. Coast Guard facilities in our region. At this time, only a small number of team members are being immunized by the federal agencies involved. Immunized persons may live and otherwise spend time in the community, but should receive any necessary medical care and follow-up for vaccine-related adverse reactions through the immunizing agency. Because the number of persons being immunized at this time is few, the likelihood of secondary spread is small. Immunization of civilian Smallpox Health Care and Public Health Teams is scheduled to begin in February, and the current National Smallpox Vaccination Plan calls for a progressive increase in the number of persons vaccinated in the community this year.
- Accordingly, all health care providers should at this time review available training materials and become familiar with the recognition, evaluation, and management of adverse events of smallpox vaccination, including those occurring due to secondary spread to close contacts and household members of vaccinees.
- Health care providers in King County should know how to contact the infectious disease, dermatology, and immunology consultants in your practice setting for assistance in evaluating persons with potential adverse events related to smallpox vaccine.
King County health care providers are requested to review the training materials Health Advisories & Resources on smallpox vaccine adverse event recognition and management at the CDC web site:
Health care providers who are evaluating vaccinees or contacts of vaccinees suspected to have complications of smallpox vaccination should contact Public Health's Communicable Disease Control, Epidemiology and Immunization Section at 206-296-4774.
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