MISSOURI MOVES FORWARD WITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SMALLPOX VACCINATION AVAILABLE TO FIRST RESPONDERS

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570,
Jefferson City, Mo. 65102
Web site: www.dhss.state.mo.us

For Immediate Release:
March 8, 2004

Contact:
Aaron Winslow
Emergency Response Coordinator
573-751-6080

Brian Quinn
Public Information Administrator
573-751-6079

MISSOURI MOVES FORWARD WITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SMALLPOX VACCINATION AVAILABLE TO FIRST RESPONDERS

As part of its ongoing mission to protect the health and wellbeing of people in Missouri, and continuing to take a lead role in emergency response preparedness, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is offering first responders across the state, including EMTs, fire fighters, and police officers, the opportunity to receive a smallpox vaccination. The vaccinations are part of a national smallpox preparedness program and participation is strictly voluntary.

"Currently, there is no specific smallpox threat. DHSS is implementing this program as part of our ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness," said Richard Dunn, DHSS director. "The smallpox vaccinations are another precaution against potential threats to public health and safety. By offering smallpox vaccinations to first responders, we add another layer of protection and preparedness against a bio-terror attack in Missouri."

In 2003, Missouri public health agencies and hospitals established teams of more than 1,200 public health and medical professionals who are prepared to respond in the event of a smallpox outbreak. These smallpox teams have been vaccinated and may be the first to investigate, evaluate, and treat initial suspected case(s) of smallpox and initiate measures to control the outbreak.

Beginning this spring, first responders statewide will have the opportunity to receive the smallpox vaccination so they would be protected should they encounter a smallpox case as part of their normal job duties.

"First responders are part of our front line in emergency situations," Dunn said. "We are committed to offering these men and women the opportunity to protect themselves from hazards they may encounter in their service to the public.

The smallpox vaccine does not contain the smallpox virus and cannot cause smallpox.

In 1980, naturally occurring smallpox was declared eradicated following worldwide vaccination programs. However, intelligence agencies fear there may be terrorist organizations that will try to obtain the virus for use in an attack against the United States and its interests. While there is no information indicating that a terror attack using smallpox is planned, it is prudent to prepare for this possibility.

In response to this threat, President Bush initiated a national preparedness program in December 2002 to protect citizens against smallpox being used as a biological weapon. Public health officials and medical providers are now taking precautions to be ready to deal with such an attack, if it were to take place.

For more information about the first responder smallpox vaccination plan, contact your local public health agency. For more information about smallpox or Missouri's preparedness plan, visit www.dhss.mo.gov or www.cdc.gov.

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