Nevada health officials plan to order smallpox vaccine in March

Nevada state health officials said Monday they plan to begin administering smallpox vaccinations by the end of March to state public health workers who volunteer for the shot.

Federal smallpox inoculation program officials reported this week their program has not met its goals to inoculate 500,000 people. Only slightly more than 4,200 inoculations, less than 1 percent, have been administered nationally.

Nevada is one of 23 states that had not ordered vaccines by Feb. 19. State officials said they are waiting to finalize an educational packet before asking health professionals to volunteer for the shot.

"We have a lot to do," said Jim Najima, state public health preparedness coordinator. "We're going as fast as we can, following the guidance of the (national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)."

CDC ordered states to develop a vaccination plan by December and begin inoculating key health workers. The orders came amid the threat of war with Iraq and fear that terrorist had the capability to release smallpox intentionally.

Officials from Washoe and Clark counties will meet today with state health staff in hopes of finalizing an official smallpox vaccine educational packet for the state.

A select group of health workers has been identified to be the first offered the vaccine, Najima said.

They would be given the education packet with time to review the information. Clinics would then be set up around the state to further educate and screen workers before administering the shot, Najima said.

He said many U.S. health professionals have not volunteered for the vaccination because they are afraid of side effects and misinformation.

Najima said he wants Nevadans to have the latest information so they can make the best decision possible.

"There's a lot of what-ifs that need to be answered before we get inoculations," he said.

For instance, before receiving the vaccine, volunteers will be fully screened and educated to care for their inoculation wound, Najima said.

"We're a lot better equipped today," he said.

REPORTED SMALLPOX INOCULATIONS

Tennessee: 881

Florida: 789

Nebraska: 744

Minnesota: 229

Nevada: 0