1. There are currently two groups of health workers for whom vaccination is being recommended:
   
   
   1. Public health workers who would be expected to investigate potential cases of smallpox and implement control measures,
      i.e. Public Health Response Teams members.
      
      
   2. Hospital-based personnel who volunteer to be part of a small pox Health Care Response Team. These may include persons such as emergency room physicians, medical staff and support personnel.
      
      
2. All smallpox vaccinations of public health response workers will be strictly voluntary.
   
   
3. Careful screening will be made for contraindications to smallpox vaccination. Contraindications to smallpox vaccination include:
   
   
   1. Pregnancy, or anyone trying to become pregnant.
      
      
   2. A history of skin diseases such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, or frequent hives or contact dermatitis.
      
      
   3. Immunosuppression resulting from HIV infection chronic steroid use, cancer, or organ transplant.
      
      
   4. Living with children under the age of 12 months.
      
      
   5. Allergic reaction to a component of the vaccine.
      

Please be aware that currently no specific, imminent threat of a smallpox attack exists, but federal authorities consider such an attack a possibility.

Smallpox vaccination is NOT recommended for the general public at this time.


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Last Updated: 03.01.2008