The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74117

Michael Lyon, Emergency Coalition to Save Public Health, 128 Faith St, San Francisco, CA 94110, 415-282-5218, mlyon01@attbi.com

In the wake of the Bush Administration’s drive to have many US healthcare and public health workers vaccinated against smallpox, workers activists at San Francisco General Hospital – the city’s public hospital – pressed their union to stand up for them. The Service Employees International Union then urged members not to participate in the program. The city's Department of Public Health has now forbidden health workers who have direct contact with patients from receiving smallpox vaccinations unless they can find a way to avoid patients.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will gain information and skills about how to build effective grassroots advocacy coalitions to address public health issues and needs.

Keywords: Public Health Advocacy, Workplace Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.