By B. Raack, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The state of Missouri says it would vaccinate about 8,350 hospital staff and health care workers as part of its plan to fight a potential smallpox outbreak.
The state has submitted its plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pam Walker, director of Missouri's Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism, says medical response teams would conduct the initial investigation if an actual case of smallpox were identified.
Walker says the hospital response teams would be located at five sites around the state, including St. Louis County.