President Bush announced a required Phase one and Phase two of vaccinations: phase one being the vaccination of a core group of public health workers and acute care hospital workers; phase two being the vaccination of a larger group of first responders such as fire, ambulance and police employees. All of the vaccinations will be voluntary.

According to John Walker, M.D., Public Health Officer for the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA), “We have known for some time that smallpox is an area of concern for national defense. While there is no information that smallpox will be introduced in California now or the near future, it is prudent that we take precautions in the event there is an occurrence.”

California counties, including Stanislaus County, have already submitted an inventory to the State Department of Health Services for vaccinating a core group of health care workers. “With the announcement from the President, local hospitals, the medical society and the public health department are moving forward as a health care team to plan for the specifics of the vaccination process,” noted Dr. Walker.

Information on smallpox can be found at the HSA’s website www.hsahealth.org.

For media information on smallpox vaccinations please contact:

• Health Services Agency – David Jones, (209) 558-5636
• Memorial Hospital – Anita Talkington (209) 525-3106
• Oak Valley Hospital – Ann Sparks (209) 848-4117
• Doctors Medical Center – Catherine Larsen – (209) 576-3500
• Emanuel Medical Center – Penny Rorex – (209) 667-7024
• Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services – Libby Lane – (209) 525-7786
• Stanislaus Medical Society – Dr. Mike Rossini – (209) 527-1704