The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) recently announced that Ohio's workers' compensation system would provide coverage to health-care workers suffering serious or life threatening effects to job-related smallpox vaccinations. On December 13, President Bush unveiled a three-phase plan for beginning smallpox vaccinations in case of a biological attack. The plan begins with a half a million troops and more than 400,000 healthcare workers likely to encounter first victims.
ODH and CDC estimate between 5,000 and 13,000 individuals will be vaccinated in phase one - a select group of doctors, nurses and other health care and public health workers. According to the CDC, most people receiving the vaccine will experience localized swelling, redness, fever, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms are self-limiting, expiring on their own, and employers will provide health-care professionals to manage these reactions. A fact sheet explaining the policy including eligibility, claim filing procedures and covered medical conditions may be viewed and downloaded at, http://www.bwc.state.oh.us/downloads/blankpdf/PoxFactsheet.pdf or visit the BWC's Web site for additional information at, www.ohiobwc.com .