HEALTHSmallpox vaccine still a safety, liability concernAdditional guidance is sought if a large-scale vaccination campaign is launched.By Susan J. Landers, amednews staff. Nov. 11, 2002. Washington -- If emergency department physicians and nurses are to be among the first to roll up their sleeves for a smallpox vaccination, they want a few more questions answered by the Bush administration first. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee met Oct. 17 in an attempt to offer guidance related to some of these specific issues. The panel also broadened its June recommendations by expanding the number of medical professionals who would be eligible for the vaccine. But many concerns -- ranging from how much pressure to be vaccinated workers might face, to liability for the vaccine's possible adverse effects -- persist. Physicians and others favor providing the vaccine on a broad, but voluntary, basis in order to establish first-responder teams in the event of a smallpox outbreak. But what if the physicians decide to receive it and the nurses do not? Or vice versa? "That's an issue that has not been worked out," said Nancy Auer, MD, chair of the American College of Emergency Physicians' Task Force on Terrorism. And, "if a health care worker decides against getting the vaccine, will there be reprisals?" asked Cheryl Peterson, RN, senior policy fellow at the American Nurses Assn. What about needlestick injuries? What's the safety record of the bifurcated needles used to administer the vaccine? Liability concerns also rank high with both hospitals and physicians. The federal government has absolved the vaccine manufacturers of liability, but those who administer the vaccine wonder if they could be held liable for illnesses among the people they inoculate. And those in line to receive the vaccine are concerned about who will help pay the bills if they have an adverse reaction.
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Copyright 2002 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment. Meeting coverage - Slideshow Feature articlesHealth reform review The Massachusetts experience Litigation stress Being sued is personal as well as professional Comprehensive coverage
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