February 21, 2003

The Michigan Department of Community Health today administered the smallpox vaccine to approximately 100 members of the state and regional public health response teams at a vaccination clinic held in Lansing.  These key vaccinated members of the regional public health response teams can now move forward with scheduling vaccination clinics for health care providers in their respective regions.

“Strengthening our homeland security efforts continues to be an important priority in Michigan,” said Governor Jennifer Granholm.  “As citizens, we owe a great debt of gratitude to these outstanding men and women who have volunteered to undergo smallpox vaccination so they can serve on our smallpox response teams.”
 
“The strong partnerships we have in place with local health departments, hospitals and medical control authorities are crucial in our smallpox vaccination efforts,” said Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski.  “We greatly appreciate the dedication and hard work that has gone into this process over the past months.” 

Michigan Department of Community Health Chief Medical Executive David R. Johnson, MD, was the first member of the team vaccinated, and Advisor for Homeland Security Colonel Michael McDaniel also received a smallpox vaccination. 

“Administering the smallpox vaccine to members of our smallpox public health response teams and health care teams is an important step as we carry on with our overall preparedness efforts,” said Dr. Johnson. 

“A crucial aspect of our homeland security plans is preparing for possible acts of bioterrorism,” said Colonel McDaniel.  “The smallpox vaccination program is one component in our overall strategy to ensure Michigan is ready to answer the nation’s call to service at a moment’s notice.”

Michigan continues to work closely with federal agencies and national organizations to resolve the outstanding issues around compensation for rare injuries related to smallpox vaccination.  These efforts are ongoing, with expected resolution in the near future.

Michigan's smallpox preparedness plans include the creation of vaccinated teams across the state.  Each of the eight Emergency Preparedness regions, into which Michigan has been organized, will have at least one smallpox public health response team and two hospital-based smallpox health care response teams, for a total of approximately 30 smallpox health care response teams across the state.  Should there be an actual case or cases of smallpox identified, these teams will be mobilized to vaccinate and follow-up with persons exposed, and to care for those with smallpox.

The first group of individuals considered for voluntary pre-event smallpox vaccination would include the vaccinators themselves, other smallpox public health response team members, and smallpox health care teams at designated hospitals.  Between 5,000-7,000 people in Michigan could be vaccinated as part of this stage of preparedness for smallpox.  Thereafter, emergency responders—including police officers and firefighters—and additional health care workers may be offered smallpox vaccination.  The federal government has announced no plans to inoculate the general public at this time, and currently recommends against it.

Although the majority of patients with actual smallpox disease recover, death may occur in approximately 30% of cases.  Many smallpox survivors suffer permanent scarring over large areas of their bodies, including their faces.  Some are left blind. 

The smallpox vaccine is very effective at preventing disease, however, it does have some significant risks.  Out of every one million people vaccinated in the past, one or two died as a result of serious adverse reactions to the vaccine, while up to 50 others had life-threatening illness.  In the absence of actual smallpox disease, careful screening of potential vaccine recipients is essential to ensure that those at increased risk for adverse reactions do not receive the vaccine.  If smallpox cases are discovered, the smallpox vaccine is effective in a post-exposure situation and all persons exposed and potentially exposed should be vaccinated.

Individuals who should NOT be vaccinated as a pre-event measure include people with the following conditions AND those who live with someone who has such a condition:
· Expectant mothers;
· People with eczema or atopic dermatitis, or a history of either;
· People being treated for cancer;
· People who are HIV-positive; and
· People who have had an organ transplant.

Individuals who should NOT receive the smallpox vaccine as a pre-event measure also include:
· People who are allergic to the vaccine or any of its ingredients;
· People who have a moderate or severe short-term illness; and
· Anyone who is less than 18 years of age.
In advance of receiving the smallpox vaccine, all individuals will have received the Smallpox Pre-Vaccination Information Packet, for their thorough review.  The Smallpox Pre-Vaccination Information Packet is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov and by clicking on “Smallpox.”  Additional information on smallpox and smallpox vaccine can also be found on the Michigan Department of Community Health website at www.michigan.gov/mdch and by clicking on “Smallpox.”