Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Bioterrorism Response Guide Section 2-C-1 – Smallpox SMALLPOX – INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINATION

The risk of smallpox occurring as a deliberate bioaerosol release is considered low. Therefore, pre-exposure vaccination is not recommended for any group other than laboratory or medical personnel working directly with the variola virus (research personnel). Currently smallpox vaccine is only available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Initial deployment of smallpox vaccine and vaccine components will occur by request from the state Governor's Office of Emergency Services through the CDC to the Surgeon Generals Office. Once the request for distribution of vaccine is approved the CDC will deploy a team to the affected area to work with state and local health officials in developing an effective strategy for containing the outbreak. Containment measures include, but are not limited to, surveillance, vaccination, isolation or quarantine, and contact identification and tracing. The information contained in this section has been developed for distribution to persons who are to receive the smallpox vaccination. Vaccine Effectiveness The vaccine is a live virus vaccine that can prevent or decrease the severity of clinical disease if administered before the outbreak or within 3 – 4 days after the first exposure date. The effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing infection if given more than 7 days after the first exposure date is not known. Target Populations Healthcare workers and persons who have unprotected face-to-face contact (within 7 feet) with a confirmed smallpox case will probably be the first to receive the vaccine. Other groups include: ? Persons exposed at the original release site; ? Persons who have face to face, household or other close contact with a confirmed or suspect case at any time after the onset of the infected persons fever until all the scabs have separated from the skin; ? Other persons at risk such as emergency medical services and law enforcement personnel. ? Laboratory personnel responsible for collecting and processing clinical specimens. Previous Vaccination Persons vaccinated one time prior to 1972 have no residual immunity. Persons who have had multiple (2 or more) vaccinations (military, foreign travelers) may have some residual immunity however this is unknown .

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