The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58056

Marcia Trape'-Cardoso, MD, FACP and Michael Grey, MD, MPH. Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Dowling North Building, Farmington, CT 06032-6210, 860-679-4564, trape@nso.uchc.edu

The State of Connecticut was the first state to begin immunization of healthcare workers as part of the Stage I vaccination program. In partnership with the State Health Department, the Division of Occupationnal/Environmental Medicine was asked not only to develop and coordinate a program that might immunize as many as 6,000 HCWs and public health professionals over a one month period but to help craft a series of trainings for public health professionals around the state. This presentation will summarize CT's experience to date, including discussion of the medical, public health, and policy aspects of one of the largest public health programs implemented in the U.S. in the last 3 decades. An open discussion will follow the presentation in order to allow the audience to raise and to discuss logistical, training, risk communication,risk assessment, legal and policy implications of the smallpox immunization program. Given the significant controversy over the program, this would lend itself to a roundtable or open panel discussion, moderated by an OEH person, with divergent perspectives on the program presented and discussed. I am very open to joining with other presenters or programs in order to develop what could be a very interesting workshop in which front line participants, like CT, can share their experiences with other states whose approach might be much different.

Learning Objectives:

• To examine what lessons can be drawn from one state's experience being "first" to implement a smallpox immunization program. Secondarily, to examine the medical, public health, and health policy implications of the smallpox immunization program.

Keywords: Bioterrorism,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.