A regional Smallpox Planning Team, co-chaired by Genesee County Health
Officer Robert Pestronk and Saginaw Valley Medical Control Authority Medical
Director Edgardo Rivera, has begun meeting in anticipation of the federal
government announcing plans to vaccinate key public health and medical
personnel. The State of Michigan plan submitted yesterday to the CDC is based
around 8 emergency management districts previously established by the Michigan
State Police. Now also known as Emergency Preparedness Region 3, Genesee County
is linked with the following other counties: Lapeer, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac,
Midland, Bay, Huron, Gladwin, Arenac, Ogemaw, Iosco, and Alcona.
The Region 3 Smallpox Planning Team is comprised of representatives from
throughout the region representing local health departments, hospitals, medical
control authorities, EMS providers, the Michigan Department of Community Health
and the Michigan State Police. A regional Public Health Response Team, comprised
of 75 volunteer nurses throughout Region 3, is being developed to be vaccinated
first if a federal directive is issued. The State plan then calls for this team
to vaccinate Health Care Response Teams in hospitals in the region. Should there
be an actual case of smallpox identified, these teams will be ready and in place
to vaccinate and follow-up with persons exposed and care for those with the
disease. An EMS Response Team has also been identified in the region for
"pre-event" vaccination. The hospitals throughout Region 3 have been
asked to assemble Health Care Response Teams so that a group of vaccinated staff
will be initially protected from infection should a case of smallpox present at
a hospital or in the region.
According to Genesee County Health Officer Robert Pestronk: "It is
important to note at this time there is no information that suggests an imminent
smallpox threat. However, the White House may announce a decision to proceed
with pre-event vaccination of public health and hospital teams throughout the
country as a preparedness effort. The activities of the Region 3 Smallpox
Planning Team now will assure that vaccine distribution methods, staffing and
monitoring will prudently prepare and protect our local communities."
Additional information about smallpox and smallpox vaccination is available
at the Genesee County Health Department website: http://www.gchd.us,
the CDC website: www.cdc.gov,
or by calling the CDC Hotlines: English (888) 246-2675, Espanol (888) 246-2857,
TTY (866) 874-2646.
