Counties say they're not ready for smallpox shots
The Associated Press
Albany — County health officials across New York state say they need more time, money and education before smallpox shots can be given to health care workers who volunteer to become part of bioterrorism emergency response teams.
Health care employees around the country began rolling up their sleeves in the first round of inoculations Friday, when a federal law protecting those giving shots from lawsuits took effect.
The government plans to vaccinate nearly 500,000 health workers nationwide so they can become part of response teams treating patients in a possible attack.
But New York state won't begin vaccinating health workers until next month, starting with up to 200 health workers who will travel to Albany to be vaccinated, said Health Department spokeswoman Kristine Smith.
The state expects to order about 16,000 vaccine doses soon from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, Smith declined to give a date for placing the order, because "things may change," she said.
"this is being put together very quickly and without sufficient recognition that it can comprimise vital public health issues," said Dr. Lloyd Novick, health commissioner for Onondaga County, which includes Syracuse.
Novick, as president of the state Association of County Health Officials, sent a letter to President Bush last week asking for more funding and further information on the vaccine's risks.
He said that he sent copies to the Pataki administration but as of Friday had received no response.