Despite dropouts, first day of state smallpox shots go ahead

ATLANTA - Despite dropouts by major Atlanta area hospitals that declined to have their workers vaccinated, state officials went ahead with the first wave of smallpox vaccinations Thursday. <br> <br> In the first day of the state&#39;s voluntary smallpox vaccination program, 77 select public health officials and workers from three of metro Atlanta&#39;s seven trauma centers were expected to receive vaccinations. <br> <br> Doctor Kathleen Toomey, director of the Georgia Division of Public Health, said the initial plan was to include all seven metro Atlanta trauma centers. But only two centers at Children&#39;s Healthcare of Atlanta and some members of North Fulton Regional Hospital opted for vaccination. <br> <br> Toomeys said, ``The absolute number of vaccines, to us, was not the important thing. Right now we are in much better shape to mounting a response to any public health emergency than we were a few years ago.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The medical centers that declined -- Grady Memorial Hospital, DeKalb Medical Center, Gwinnett Medical Center and Atlanta Medical Center -- did so because of various concerns, including liability and the potential to accidentally infect immuno-compromised patients with the vaccine, which itself is a live virus that can cause serious health complications and even death. <br> <br> But all the hospitals that declined to participate in the first vaccine push say they reserve the right to participate at any time. They also are involved in other bioterrorism preparedness efforts. Federal officials have said there currently isn&#39;t any indication of a risk of a smallpox attack.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/1/184488