Texas Nurses Association Urges Caution for Texas Nurses Volunteering for Smallpox Vaccine
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Clair Jordan, MSN, RN Executive Director, Texas Nurses Association 512-452-0645
Texas Nurses Association Urges Caution for Texas Nurses Volunteering for Smallpox Vaccine
TNA cites too many unknown health and employment implications for nurses, and safety concerns for
patients.
Austin, TX - January 31, 2003 - The Texas Nurses Association (TNA) is advising registered nurses
across the state to closely evaluate and carefully weigh both known risks and well-being
implications for nurses and patients before volunteering to participate in the public smallpox
vaccination program in Texas. Phase I of the national smallpox vaccination program began January 24,
2003.
The unanimous decision to not recommend to nurses that they participate in Phase I of the
vaccination program was reached by the TNA Board of Directors during a meeting held recently in
Austin. Board members who represent a statewide membership of registered nurses agreed unanimously
that they could not recommend participation before many of the outstanding safety issues for nurses
were addressed.
Nurses are among approximately 40,000 health care and public health workers across Texas (and
500,000 nationally) who are being targeted for first-phase vaccinations, and among 10 million first
responders selected for a second phase of vaccines. Registered nurses comprise a large percentage of
both groups, which include:
Hospital staff, about 15% of which will provide direct care to a patient with smallpox. Public
health staff, who will vaccinate individuals who will be part of a response team or staff who will
need to vaccinate others. "There are certainly plenty of concerns surrounding smallpox
vaccinations," stressed Lynn Wieck, PhD, RN, president of Texas Nurses Association. "We
urge all health care professionals to get the facts, ask questions, determine their own risk
factors, and make an informed decision before proceeding with the vaccine," she cautioned.
The Texas Nurses Association is following the path of its national association - the American
Nurses Association (ANA) - in striving to get answers for nurses that will help them make informed
decisions about whether or not they should choose to receive the vaccine. Both TNA and ANA believe
the following issues must be satisfactorily addressed before nurses can move forward with their
decisions:
Potential transmission of the vaccinia virus to patients and family members; Right of coverage of
medical costs associated with receiving the vaccine; Utilization of safer bifurcated needles;
Critical need to establish an adequate pre-screening and education program; Maintenance of
sufficient staffing during the voluntary, pre-event vaccination program; Compensation for lost time
at work due to adverse effects of the vaccination program. The Texas Nurses Association will be
notifying RNs, public health officials, hospitals and other health care stakeholders about its
decision to promote caution. RNs are encouraged to contact TNA regarding any concerns -
512.452.0645.
The Texas Nurses Association is a professional organization of registered nurses throughout
Texas, and the only Texas affiliate of the American Nurses Association. Texas Nurses Association
seeks to promote excellence in nursing by helping nurses achieve quality patient care through high
standards of practice, legislative involvement and public policy advocacy.
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