BWC establishes smallpox policy covering health-care response teams

In response to President George W. Bush's order to begin a three-phased smallpox vaccination plan, BWC has its own plan to cover health care response teams given the small pox vaccine if they should suffer serious or life-threatening effects as a result of job-related vaccinations against the disease.

"Ohio's health-care response team volunteers will be covered in the event they develop serious reactions to the smallpox vaccine," said James Conrad, Administrator/CEO. "Already volunteers, these health-care professionals are performing a valuable service protecting their communities – they need to know we will be there to protect them if they are injured as part of their job."

On Dec. 13, President Bush rolled out a three-phase plan for beginning smallpox vaccinations in case of a biological attack. The plan would begin with half a million troops and more than 400,000 health-care workers likely to encounter first victims.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) estimates between 5,000 and 13,000 individuals will be vaccinated in phase one -- a select group of doctors, nurses and other health care and public health workers.

According to the CDC, most people receiving the vaccine will experience localized swelling, redness, fever, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms are self-limiting, expiring on their own, and employers will provide health-care professionals to manage these reactions.

A fact sheet released December 2002 explains how Ohio's workers' compensation system will treat workers adversely affected by the smallpox vaccine. The fact sheet explains the policy, including eligibility, claim-filing procedures and covered medical conditions.

To be considered for workers' compensation, workers must show proof of participation in a hospital's health-care response team.

For more information:
The BWC Small Pox Fact sheet

The Ohio Department of Health has fact sheets regarding smallpox at: www.odh.state.oh.us.