Government Proposes Smallpox Compensation Plan

Plan Fashioned After Emergency Workers' Fund

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is proposing a compensation fund for people injured by the smallpox vaccine.

The proposal, which needs congressional approval, is based on a similar package now available to to police officers and firefighters injured on the job.

Under the plan, the government would pay more than $250,000 for each person who dies or is permanently and totally disabled by the vaccine. Those less severely injured could receive up to $50,000 -- plus medical expenses.

The compensation plan does not cover the general public since it is not recommended that they receive the vaccine.

Union leader Andy Stern called the plan "a much-needed shot in the arm" for the government's smallpox vaccination program.

The lack of such a fund has prevented many health care and public safety workers from being vaccinated.

Stern is president of the Service Employees International Union, which represents 750,000 nurses and other health care workers. He said the compensation fund provides a much-needed boost.

But the American Nurses Association worries that the payments are not large enough, and that many people won't qualify because they are sick for just a few days.

In December, President George W. Bush announced a plan for public health and medical response teams to be vaccinated voluntarily against smallpox as part of an overall effort to better prepare the nation against terrorism. As of March 4, more than 12,400 people had received vaccinations.

"I commend all of the public health and medical response team members who have already volunteered to be vaccinated against smallpox so we as a nation will be better prepared to protect the public," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said.

Experts estimate that as many as 50 out of every 1 million people vaccinated for the first time will face life-threatening complications -- and one or two will die. Reactions are less common in people being revaccinated.

Although smallpox was declared eradicated globally in 1980, the government is afraid terrorists could use it in an attack.

Previous Stories:

• March 3, 2003: CDC Sends Smallpox Information To 3.5 Million
• February 28, 2003: Officials Look Into Smallpox Vaccine Side Effects
• February 25, 2003: $20M Awarded For Smallpox Vaccine Research
• January 24, 2003: Smallpox Vaccines Begin For Health Workers
• January 22, 2003: Smallpox Vaccine Distributed To States
• January 17, 2003: Panel Urges Clear Smallpox Vaccine Warnings

Copyright 2003 by NewsNet5.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.