Homeland Security, Smallpox Raise WC Issues

As the country prepares for war, and the possibility of an attempt to use biological weapons of mass destruction, issues of workers' compensation are coming to the forefront as states grapple with inoculating health care workers from small pox.The small pox vaccine itself is a live virus that can spread from person to person and cause "severe, even life-threatening, side effects," says David Engelthaler, chief of the state Office of Bioterrorism and Epidemic Preparedness and Response. 1 in 1,000 people will experience serious, but not life-threatening, side effects that may require medical att...