Missouri Submits Plan to Provide Smallpox Vaccinations to Medical and Public Health Response Teams

For Immediate Release:
December 11, 2002

Contact:
Mary Still or Chris Kelly
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
573-751-3222

Missouri Submits Plan to Provide Smallpox Vaccinations to Medical and Public Health Response Teams

JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Bob Holden announced today that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has submitted a pre-event smallpox plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for review and approval. It is possible in the very near future that President Bush may require states to implement the pre-event plan. According to Missouri's plan, smallpox vaccines will be provided to approximately 6,000 to 8,000 hospital staff and 350 public health workers in Missouri during Stage 1. The purpose of this vaccination program is to have sufficient numbers of vaccinated persons available to respond immediately to an outbreak of smallpox, should this occur.

"The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, local public health agencies and hospitals throughout the state have been working together to prepare for vaccinating these specific individuals should that be necessary," said Holden. "Their efforts and the commitment made by the thousands of volunteers who become vaccinated will better protect the health and safety of Missouri's residents in case of a bioterrorist attack."

The public health response team will be comprised of medical epidemiologists, investigators, and nurses. These are the workers who would conduct the initial investigation, case finding and ring vaccination programs should an actual case of smallpox be identified. According to the plan, at least two vaccinated staff will be available at each local public health agency and additional investigators will be available depending on the area's population.

Hospitals will be asked to designate medical response teams from their staffs, who will be on the frontline in diagnosing, treating and managing smallpox disease and adverse reactions to smallpox vaccine. In accordance with CDC's recommendations, three teams of 15 staff persons at each hospital will be vaccinated. Teams will consist of physicians, nurses, emergency department staff, and intensive care staff. The teams should also include dermatologists, infectious disease specialists, pediatric specialists, pulmonary specialists, and may include security, housekeeping, personnel, etc.

Vaccination of public health and hospital response teams will be provided at five local public health agencies located in St. Louis County, Butler County, Greene County, Boone County and Kansas City.

"We'll be calling on dedicated, courageous medical and public health employees from all over the state to protect our citizens should Missouri or our nation be threatened with smallpox," Holden said. "Our nation is facing threats unlike anything in our history. But with hard work, leadership and the American spirit, we will be prepared for any challenge," he added.

Routine vaccinations for smallpox ended in 1972. Smallpox is a serious viral infection that could be used today as a powerful weapon. It is important to remember, however, that the vaccine has been very effective in preventing smallpox infection, and can be given within three to four days after being exposed.

For more information call the Department of Health and Senior Services at 1-800-392-0272 or go to the department's web site at www.dhss.state.mo.us and click on Emergency Response and Terrorism.