KU organizes free video conference on smallpox vaccine reactions

LAWRENCE -- University of Kansas Medical Center Continuing Education and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will jointly sponsor a free interactive video conference titled "Smallpox Vaccine Adverse Reactions: Clinical Description and Diagnosis."

The program, set for 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 22, will be broadcast to sites in Arkansas City, Coffeyville, Dodge City, Emporia, Garden City, Great Bend, Hays, Junction City, Kansas City, Liberal, Oakley, Parsons, Salina, Topeka and Wichita.

The conference will inform clinicians about the Kansas smallpox vaccination plan and how to assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients who experience adverse reactions after being vaccinated.

The workshop is targeted to community-based primary care providers, infectious disease specialists, emergency medicine physicians and advanced practice nurses. Two CME and 2.4 CNE credits will be provided.

The presenters are Daniel Hinthorn, professor of medicine and director, Infectious Disease Division, KU Medical Center; Gianfranco Pezzino, director, Bureau of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease, KDHE; and Thomas Clements, senior medical epidemiologist, KDHE.

Conference topics include:

 • a description of the Kansas smallpox vaccination plan and management of public health and hospital rapid-response teams

 • clinical manifestations of adverse reactions after smallpox vaccination and management of those reactions

 • the difference between benign, serious but treatable, and life-threatening complications of smallpox vaccination

 • responsibilities of health care providers for monitoring and reporting of adverse reactions

Preregistration is not required. For more information or the specific video conference sites, visit www.kdhe.state.ks.us/han/smallpox or call Amber Hermreck at (785) 296-8115.