How to I get on Bennel's list?
As you know, NG members and Reserves members many of whom are also AFGE members will be most probably be 'forced'
to take the Small Pox shot since we are also (part-time) military members.
AFGE Council 164 (Mr. John Esposito Pres.) consist of (basically) 95% of AFGE members who are ALSO military members, so these Locals
that are part of the Council have a large number of their membership facing Small Pox.
As a part-time military member, I WILL take the Small Pox if so ordered to do so. My biggest gripe is a lack of information, Q&A session and a
"heads-up" PRIOR to vaccination, if it occurs. With a 'heads-up" members may then quit the National Guard or Reserves thus avoiding
the shot. I have taken three Anthrax shots already, when those happened, we were given a excellent brief, Q&A sessions, other info and
a 'heads up" thus an opportunity to leave the National Guard.
WITHOUT a "heads up", members may report to duty on a typical one-weekend-a-month and be forced to take Small Pox. This is wrong.
I have briefly brought up this 'heads up" issue with all four of Hawaii's Congressional delegation in Feb when we were in D.C.
The majority of the Hawai'i Air National Guard was 'rumoured' to get the Small Pox in early March 2003, but it didn't happen. One very small
group of Hawai'i Air National Guard members have ALREADY gotten the shot while overseas on military duty, thus they had no 'heads up", thus
no choice but to take the shot of face a dishonorable discharge.
Brian Takafuji
Pres. AFGE L-1213
On Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at 04:49 AM, Christopher Kemm wrote:
FYI,
----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Bennett" <BENNEL@afge.org>
Subject: Update on Smallpox Compensation Legislation
Background on Issue:
In December 2002, President Bush called for 500,000 volunteer first
responders to get vaccinated against smallpox in case of a biological
attack. These first responders would then serve to vaccine others in the
case of a biological attack. But as of March 14, only about 21,700 workers
have rolled up their sleeves to be vaccinated.
The Risk: (summary from the CDC)
The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. The
vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia which is a "pox"-type virus
related to smallpox. The smallpox vaccine contains the "live" vaccinia
virus—not dead virus like many other vaccines. For that reason, the
vaccination site must be cared for carefully to prevent the virus from
spreading. Also, the vaccine can have side effects. The vaccine does not
contain the smallpox virus and cannot give you smallpox.
There are side effects and risks associated with the smallpox vaccine. Most
people experience normal, usually mild reactions that include a sore arm,
fever, and body aches. However, other people experience reactions ranging
from serious to life-threatening. People most likely to have serious side
effects are: people who have had, even once, skin conditions (especially
eczema or atopic dermatitis) and people with weakened immune systems, such
as those who have received a transplant, are HIV positive, are receiving
treatment for cancer, or are currently taking medications (like steroids)
that suppress the immune system. In addition, pregnant women should not get
the vaccine because of the risk it poses to the fetus. Women who are
breast-feeding should not get the vaccine. Children younger than 12 months
of age should not get the vaccine. Also, the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP) advises against non-emergency use of smallpox
vaccine in children younger than 18 years of age. In addition, those
allergic to the vaccine or any of its components should not receive the
vaccine.
In the past, about 1,000 people for every 1 million people vaccinated for
the first time experienced reactions that, while not life-threatening, were
serious. These reactions included a toxic or allergic reaction at the site
of the vaccination (erythema multiforme), spread of the vaccinia virus to
other parts of the body and to other individuals (inadvertent inoculation),
and spread of the vaccinia virus to other parts of the body through the
blood (generalized vaccinia). These types of reactions may require medical
attention. In the past, between 14 and 52 people out of every 1 million
people vaccinated for the first time experienced potentially
life-threatening reactions to the vaccine. Based on past experience, it is
estimated that 1 or 2 people in 1 million who receive the vaccine may die as
a result. Careful screening of potential vaccine recipients is essential to
ensure that those at increased risk do not receive the vaccine.
U.S. SENATE ACTIVITY:
Senator Judd Gregg ( R-NH) has introduced legislation (S. 15) that would
establish a compensation fund for individuals who suffered adverse reactions
from the vaccine. It would establish a compensation fund that would award
a $262,000 lump sum to survivors in the event of death or permanent or total
disability. The bill also would reimburse individuals up to $50,000 for the
cost of medical treatment and lost pay beyond the first five days of work
missed.
The Gregg bill limits coverage under the compensation plan to people
vaccinated within 120 days of the specified date. In other words, if you
volunteer to be vaccinated on the 121 day and are injured you will not be
eligible for compensation.
The Gregg bill also limits coverage to people that are accidental vaccinee.
In other words, if your vaccine site sheds the virus to your spouse and they
are injured, the Gregg bill would not provide them with compensation if they
were injured 30 plus days after January 28, 2003.
Under the Gregg bill, anyone who is eligible for Medicare will not be
provided with health benefits or medical care for injuries through the
smallpox compensation fund.
The Gregg bill does not contain any provision to protect health care workers
against retaliation from their employers if they decline to be vaccinated.
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) scuttled the markup Gregg's provisions on
smallpox compensation the week of March 17 by preparing 74 amendments
challenging the bill's caps on compensation figures and the timetables it
sets for vaccination. The panel did approve a less controversial section of
the bill that addresses defenses against bioterrorism but not the smallpox
section.
As reported in Congressional Quarterly Senator Kennedy said, "we are asking
people to do things in order to protect all of us. . . . [First responders]
are being put at risk for the protection of all of us." "We just want to
make sure we're going to have people participating."
Both Gregg and Kennedy said they hoped to have compromise language ready for
markup March 26.
The senators on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
who will be considering this key legislation are:
Republicans (11)
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Judd Gregg, N.H. - chairman
Bill Frist, Tenn.
Michael B. Enzi, Wyo.
Lamar Alexander, Tenn.
Christopher S. Bond, Mo.
Mike DeWine, Ohio
Pat Roberts, Kan.
Jeff Sessions, Ala.
John Ensign, Nev.
Lindsey Graham, S.C.
John W. Warner, Va.
Democrats (10)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Edward M. Kennedy, Mass. - ranking member
Christopher J. Dodd, Conn.
Tom Harkin, Iowa
Barbara A. Mikulski, Md.
James M. Jeffords, Vt. (I)
Jeff Bingaman, N.M.
Patty Murray, Wash.
Jack Reed, R.I.
John Edwards, N.C.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, N.Y.
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ACTIVITY
Meanwhile the House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans plan to
introduce a bill that would provide workers sickened by the vaccine with
benefits similar to those for police and firefighters killed or injured in
the line of duty. The bill, by Representative Richard M. Burr ( R-N.C.)
could be brought to the floor March 27. The Burr bill is likely to be
similar to the Gregg bill.
Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., also introduced a competing compensation
fund bill (HR 865) that calls for more generous benefits, including an
$850,000 lump sum payment to families of workers who die from the vaccine,
and would provide states with funds to implement the program. The Waxman
bill has specific protections for workers who decline to be vaccinated. The
Waxman bill also specifys that the federal government must give federal
employees administrative leave (not sick leave) for time they must take off
due to reactions to the vaccine. The Waxman bill also has provision on the
use of safer needle devices for the delivery of the vaccine. AFGE supports
the key provisions in the Waxman bill.