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CWA Urges Delay in Smallpox Inoculation for First Responders, Health Care Professionals

Washington, DC -- Serious concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the plan to inoculate health care, public safety and other civilian professionals against smallpox has prompted a call by the Communications Workers to delay the start of the national program.

In a letter to President Bush, CWA President Morton Bahr cited inadequate safeguards for workers in the program, including a lack of information about the risks of vaccination and no plan to monitor, treat and assist vaccine recipients, who may suffer adverse effects, or their families who also will be exposed to this live virus.

Also missing from the national plan is coverage for lost compensation and benefits and ongoing medical care for those injured by the vaccine, Bahr wrote. "Frontline workers in the fight against terrorism should not be required to shoulder the economic risk" posed by the vaccine, he said.

The Centers for Disease Control has projected that as many as 42 of every 1 million people inoculated will suffer severe side effects from the vaccine and one or two of every 1 million vaccinated will die.

The 100,000 public and health care workers represented by CWA and others "want very much to participate in the defense of our nation against those who without reason seek to harm us," Bahr said, urging the president to delay implementation of the National Smallpox Inoculation Program until its safety and effectiveness can be assured.

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