Agenda - 02-17-2003-8k - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 immunized State personnel, some Wake County Public Health employees, and the seven Public Health Regional Response Teams. The vaccine is expected to be distributed to local health departments sometime in February for implementation of each county's Stage I plan. There are a small number of health department employees identified to receive the vaccine in this stage (about 15). UNC Hospitals will also have personnel immunized in this first stage by health department staff. Orange County Public Health staff are responsible for immunizing the hospital personnel in Stage I, and it is a requirement that those who are vaccinating be vaccinated themselves to protect against inadvertent immunization. Hospital staff cannot move forward at this time until Health Department vaccinators have been vaccinated. Vaccination in the first two stages is strictly voluntary. The smallpox vaccine is a live vaccine, making it different from other vaccines that are commonly used today and there are some risks associated with taking the vaccine. Most people experience normal, usually mild, reactions that include a sore arm, fever, and body aches. People most likely to have serious side effects are those who would be excluded from vaccination based on present or past health conditions. In the past, about 1 person for every 100,000 people vaccinated for the first time experienced reactions that, while not life-threatening, were serious. Serious reactions would require medical attention. Based on past experience, it is estimated that 1 or 2 people in 1 million who receive the vaccine may die as a result. Careful screening of potential vaccine recipients is essential to ensure that those at increased risk do not receive the vaccine. Whenever possible, people that have had prior smallpox vaccinations will be revaccinated, lowering the risk. Health Department employees have already indicated their willingness to participate by being trained to conduct the vaccinations. Nationally, there has been much concern over liability issues for agencies and staff that participate in this effort. While Section 304B of the Homeland Security Act provides liability protection for agencies and staff that give the vaccine, there has not been as clear a guidance on protecting staff as employees from individual consequences in receiving the vaccine. Staff must be protected by the vaccine in order to administer the vaccine to others. However, the State is requiring all vaccine recipients to be volunteers. Careful screening of all persons receiving the vaccine should virtually eliminate the possibility of adverse reactions occurring from receiving the vaccine. Some staff may experience a few days of illness associated with receiving the vaccine. In addition, there may be adverse reactions to the vaccine that would require other health care intervention, although the likelihood of that is very small. It is the opinion of the Health Director that the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the County require that essential volunteer County employees take the vaccine in order that there be sufficient immunized personnel to assist the public in the event of an outbreak. The recommendation below provides Orange County staff that volunteer to be immunized with protection in the event the employee becomes ill as a result of the smallpox immunization. Catawba County and Wake County have approved similar provisions and UNC Health Care System is considering a similar policy. There are several major hospitals in the state that have chosen not to participate in this vaccination effort; however, no health departments have to date refused participation. The County Attorney and the Personnel Director were extensively consulted in the development of the recommendations below and the County Attorney drafted the specific language included here. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The State is supplying the vaccine and all medical supplies for Stage I of the Smallpox Vaccination Plan. The County has trained five vaccinators from the health