Sonoma County Supervisors To Consider Smallpox Vaccine Compensation Measures for Health Care Workers
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today plans to consider several measures that would provide paid leave and other benefits to county health care workers or family members who experience adverse effects from the smallpox vaccine, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports. Approval of the measures would allow the county smallpox vaccination program, which to date would include fewer than 10 county health care workers, to begin in late July or early August, according to Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, the county public health officer. County officials also hope that health care workers from private hospitals in the area will participate in the program, but hospital officials said that many "employees aren't eager to take part," the Press Democrat reports. Labor unions that represent health care workers in Sonoma County have opposed smallpox vaccination over concerns about the health risks of the vaccine, disability compensation and the impact on patient care (Callahan, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 6/28).
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