Nevada gets fed OK for smallpox plan

Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 | 9:25 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Health Administrator Yvonne Sylva says the state has received federal approval for the first phase of a smallpox plan in which an estimated 1,400 health care professionals in Clark and Washoe counties will be vaccinated.

The approval Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention means the agency will be contacting the state to schedule delivery of the vaccine to start the shots on the public health staff and essential health care providers.

Sylva said vaccinating this group ensures the capability to vaccinate large numbers of people and to investigate and follow up any suspected cases of smallpox. The health care staff would be ready to provide care to the first people who may show up at a health care facility with smallpox.

Jim Najima, public health preparedness coordinator for the state, said, "We are estimating that 1,000 health care professionals in Clark County may receive the vaccination. In Washoe County, the estimated number of people may be 400."

Receiving the vaccination is voluntary, however, and many doctors and nurses are wary of the vaccination. Some hospitals have rejected the proposal as too risky for their employees, according to recent national reports. Some people who receive the vaccine will suffer side effects and there is a concern that vaccinating workers might result in the transmission of the disease to patients whose resistance had been lowered by HIV or other conditions.

Najima said not everyone who is eligible in the first phase will receive the shot because of pre-existing health problems. Those volunteering for the first phase will be closely screened to determine if they can receive the vaccination.

Najima said those who get the shots will also be closely monitored for any adverse reaction.

The state is working with the Clark County Health District, the Washoe County District Health Department and the Nevada Hospital Association on this vaccination plan.