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I think that should a case of smallpox be identified in any Emergency
Room that all Hades would break loose. Who then should go to contain and
place control measures? Should not that person have as high as possible
an immunity level serologically against Variola? Should not a core group
of HCWs be prior immunized? An act of war can come upon the presentation
of a single case of smallpox or multiple cases if there is simultaneous
exposure to the virus in a given community.
I know that in three or four
days post recognition that the administration of vaccine would be helpful,
however have the officials considered staffing of the general hospital
including the ER and the ICU? Once exposed any and all HCWs would be off
duty and under quarrantine regardless of whether or not the smallpox
vaccine is given. I do not see that as the case if the first responders
are vaccinated, unless of course the strain released is altered
genetically to be immune to the vaccine. In that situation, we will have
to rely upon isolation completely. Any and all exposed will be placed off
duty. That would impact staffing seriously and there may be no one to care
for subsequent cases that may present.
Smallpox Planned Vaccination for Early responders
I think that should a case of smallpox be identified in any Emergency
Room that all Hades would break loose. Who then should go to contain and
place control measures? Should not that person have as high as possible
an immunity level serologically against Variola? Should not a core group
of HCWs be prior immunized? An act of war can come upon the presentation
of a single case of smallpox or multiple cases if there is simultaneous
exposure to the virus in a given community.
I know that in three or four
days post recognition that the administration of vaccine would be helpful,
however have the officials considered staffing of the general hospital
including the ER and the ICU? Once exposed any and all HCWs would be off
duty and under quarrantine regardless of whether or not the smallpox
vaccine is given. I do not see that as the case if the first responders
are vaccinated, unless of course the strain released is altered
genetically to be immune to the vaccine. In that situation, we will have
to rely upon isolation completely. Any and all exposed will be placed off
duty. That would impact staffing seriously and there may be no one to care
for subsequent cases that may present.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests