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OF RECORD


Protocol for the Use of Vaccinia Virus in Research

The Penn policy on the use of vaccinia virus in research follows national guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The policy was revised in March 2003 to reflect recent changes in CDC vaccination guidelines. It was approved by the University Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and is administered by the Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS). Principal Investigators (PI's) must obtain written EHRS approval to use vaccinia virus.

The recommendations for vaccinia immunization differ depending upon the strain of vaccinia virus that will be used in the individual laboratory. While immunization is not a prerequisite for working with vaccinia virus at the University, counseling about vaccination is. If a laboratory uses certain specified strains of vaccinia, all lab staff who directly handle cultures or infected animals must receive mandatory confidential counseling and (if it is medically appropriate) be offered Vaccinia (Smallpox) vaccine by Occupational Medicine prior to initiating work with vaccinia virus. EHRS approval will be contingent on verification that the PI and all lab staff have been counseled by Occupational Medicine.

For a complete copy of the Penn's vaccinia protocol, consult the EHRS web site, www.ehrs.upenn.edu/protocols/vaccinia.html, or call EHRS at (215) 898-4453.

--Dr. Neal Nathanson, Vice Provost for Research

--Matthew D. Finucane, Director,
Environmental Health & Radiation Safety

--Dr. Charles E. Benson, Chair,
Institutional Biosafety Committee

 

Policy on People Not Affiliated with the
University of Pennsylvania Who Work in
University
Laboratories

Faculty and staff who are coordinating summer programs and internships for non-affiliates must adhere to the following policy:

Non-affiliates are those people that are not University of Pennsylvania students, faculty or staff. All non-affiliates working in University laboratories must have proper training in biological and chemical safety prior to participating in University sponsored programs or activities.

To provide for the safety of individuals and to ensure compliancse with applicable regulations, the University has established the following guidelines:

1. All non-affiliated individuals who work in laboratories must attend mandatory training programs on biological and chemical safety offered by EHRS. For information on the scheduling of these programs, check the EHRS web site (www.ehrs.upenn.edu) or call (215) 898-4453.

2. Individuals who work in laboratories must be participating in officially sponsored University educational programs or activities. Such programs or activities must be approved by the Dean of the sponsoring School. EHRS should be consulted to review approved programs to ensure relevant safety issues have been addressed.

3. The Principal Investigator is responsible for assuring that all non-affiliates working in his/her laboratory are appropriately trained and supervised.

-- Matthew Finucane, Director
Environmental Health & Radiation Safety


-- Ronald Jasner, Associate Director
Risk Management

 


  Page I Don't Want In Search Engines Almanac, Vol. 49, No. 29, April 15, 2003

Page I Don't Want In Search Engines
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