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For Release Friday,
13th December, 2002 |
CONTACT:
Rob Hayes |
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PHONE:850-245-4111
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Tallahassee - Governor Jeb Bush and Florida Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. John Agwunobi today commended President Bush's decision to vaccinate volunteer response teams against the smallpox disease. Florida, as part of an ongoing collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida health care provider community and Florida's Domestic Security leadership in the area of public health preparedness, recently submitted updated plans to the federal government for the vaccination of hospital and public health professionals.
"The President has accepted the challenge and made a difficult decision. I know he put a great deal of time and thought into this, and in the end decided it was imperative that we protect our protectors - medical response teams and military personnel," said Governor Bush. "Although we have no current information indicating a smallpox attack is imminent, we continue to believe it is wise to aggressively prepare to ensure the safety of our state and nation."
"I praise President Bush for the leadership he has displayed in making this decision, and for the efforts he made to ensure there is enough vaccine available for the entire population, if needed," said Dr. Agwunobi. "Through the guidance he has already provided us through our collaboration with the CDC, we have developed plans to protect Floridians against the potential threat of smallpox and mitigate the consequences that could result from an intentional release of this disease."
Agwunobi said Department of Health officials at the state and local level have worked closely with federal, state and local agencies, public and private representatives, legislators and other elected officials in its pursuit of preparedness. The planning was based upon the framework for collaboration provided by Governor Jeb Bush through his Domestic Security Task Forces at the state and regional levels.
The Department of Health has submitted two plans to the federal government: an implementation plan to make smallpox vaccine available to Florida's citizen's prior to the identification of a first smallpox case (a pre-event smallpox vaccination plan); and a plan to respond to an actual smallpox case or outbreak (a post-event plan). Additionally, a detailed implementation plan for Stage I of the pre-event plan (Operation Vaccinate Florida) has been submitted to the federal government for review and input.
Agwunobi said he has designated Dr. Bill Tynan, deputy state epidemiologist for the Florida Department of Health, as coordinator of Operation Vaccinate Florida.
- The first stage, which is estimated to last 30 days, is expected to include the vaccination of hospital response teams and county health department personnel. DOH estimates that approximately 35,000 to 40,000 doses will be provided to protect these health care professionals and ensure a core group of trained and protected health professionals will be available to help conduct future phases of Operation Vaccinate Florida;
- The second stage is expected to include the vaccination of first responders such as law enforcement officers, firemen, emergency medical crews, etc. as well as other health care professionals. DOH estimates that during the second phase, approximately 300,000 to 400,000 doses will be provided to protect and prepare these individuals; and
- The third and final stage, should the federal government determine the need to proceed, would include the voluntary vaccination of the general public. DOH estimates that up to 10 million individuals might be eligible in Florida for phase III vaccination against smallpox. An as yet undetermined number of the population will be ineligible to receive the vaccine due to pregnancy, eczema, and various other contraindications.
The post-event plan, outlining Florida's response to the identification of a smallpox case, would be conducted as an emergency, using all the resources included in the state's emergency operations, domestic security, and Department of Health structure. The response would also involve mobilization of many of the resources available in the non-state government domestic security community. The response would include both "ring vaccination" of all contacts of cases as well as statewide voluntary mass vaccination for citizens and visitors. The plan also includes DOH's existing national pharmaceutical stockpile distribution plan, as well as the state's "All Hazard" response plan used effectively in hurricane response, many of the components of its pandemic influenza plan, surveillance and isolation considerations, and a host of other important strategies.
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*** DOH will conduct a statewide briefing to update the media on the Stage 1 Smallpox Vaccination Plan within 24 hours of receiving input and guidance from the CDC.
*** Please note the attached list of frequently asked questions about smallpox, its symptoms, the vaccine, etc.
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