Late last month public health and hospital health care workers rolled up their sleeves to receive a smallpox vaccination. It’s the first smallpox vaccination clinic in Kitsap County Health District.

The clinic at the Harrison Hospital Annex in Bremerton, was the first of several scheduled for Planning Region 2 (Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam counties) in support of the national effort to prepare for potential acts of bioterrorism.

Those who have recently received smallpox vaccinations include:

Public health smallpox response teams – Kitsap County Health District workers who would investigate reported or suspected cases, and vaccinate those affected;

Hospital smallpox health care teams – Doctors, nurses, and other staff from Harrison Hospital who would help identify and care for the first smallpox patients after a bioterrorist event.

“These dedicated workers have volunteered to place their own health at risk to protect the greater health of our community,” said Kitsap County Health Officer Dr. Scott Lindquist. “We plan to have a limited number of people vaccinated against smallpox to ensure a rapid response to a bioterrorist event. That’s one of the important roles of public health in homeland security.”

As part of the Washington State Stage 1 Smallpox Vaccination Plan, the Kitsap County Health District and the Jefferson and Clallam County Health Departments have been working closely with the state Department of Health, hospitals, and local health care providers to develop a plan that balances emergency preparedness with a safe and responsible smallpox vaccination program.

Currently, the smallpox vaccine is not available for the general public. Public health officials stress the risk of side effects from the vaccine outweighs the known threat at this time. There has not been a case of smallpox in the world since the 1970s.

The vaccine does not contain the smallpox virus; it contains a related live virus called vaccinia. Those volunteering to be vaccinated have received thorough instructions on what to do after they’re vaccinated, and will be monitored to help prevent the spread of the vaccinia virus.

For more information about local bioterrorism preparedness and response activities, contact the Kitsap County Health District’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Program at (360) 337-5265, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.