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Health care workers will receive smallpox vaccinations in January

The state health department will begin administering smallpox vaccinations to health care workers in January.

Director for emergency response and terrorism, Pam Walker says the plan to start vaccinating health care workers will ensure that there are enough workers to care for cases of smallpox if the United States is attacked.

Walker says health care workers are responding well to this plan.

BITE " The reponse I get is that people feel it's their duty. In order to take care of their patients they need to take care of themselves, and I think they'll step forward and do that."

The general public will not be able to receive smallpox vaccinations for at least a year.Date: December 12, 2002

By: Theresa Hatley

State Capital Bureau

The state health department will begin administering smallpox vaccinations to health care workers in January.

The state health department says it is prepared to follow President Bush's plan to start vaccinating health care workers against smallpox.

Director for emergency response and terrorism, Pam Walker says the plan is a precautionary step to protect citizens against a possible terrorist attack.

BITE "It will make sure there are enough health care workers to care for cases of smallpox."

Walker says three hundred and fifty public health employees and six to eight thousand hospital staff will be vaccinated.