Smallpox vaccinations go well thus far

So far, so good, say state health officials who are monitoring the progress of the first five dozen or so Iowans who were vaccinated for smallpox last week. Kevin Teale, spokesman for the state Department of Public Health, says of the 62 health care workers who got smallpox vaccinations last week, only two had mild reactions that were enough to make them call in sick. Most of them had mild skin rashes or irritations in the areas where the shots were given. Teale says he doesn’t want people getting sick but then again, the minor problems are a good thing. He says the side effects are desired as it’s an indication the vaccinations “took” and the people are becoming protected against the disease. The health care workers who got the smallpox vaccines last week are some of the ones who will administer the medication to the rest of the population, should an outbreak occur.