Smallpox vaccination clinics begin

Posted 2/19/03

The Public Health Departments in Central Minnesota regions have received the smallpox vaccine which will be used to conduct vaccination clinics for public health workers and hospital personnel. The health departments are doing vaccinations at the request of the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, so that public health departments and hospitals will be prepared to respond more quickly and more effectively if anyone were to use the smallpox virus as a terrorist weapon. At a smallpox clinic held in St. Cloud on Wednesday, Feb. 12, public health care workers received information on the vaccination and also conducted demonstrations, during Phase I of the vaccination plan. Above left, Christine Austin-Roehler of Wright County demonstrated receiving the vaccination from Mary Pittman of Stearns County. At right, Mille Lacs County Public Health Director Kay Keimig discusses the vaccine with Austin-Roehler. The smallpox vaccine does carry some risks. The risk of smallpox vaccination needs to be weighed against the risk that smallpox may be used as a weapon. The risk that smallpox will be used as a weapon is thought to be very low-but cannot be calculated, which is why the vaccination is voluntary. Anyone who may have a risk of serious reactions or who have close contact with others with risks will not be vaccinated.