In just weeks, Washington may vaccinate thousands of healthcare providers who would be on the frontline of a bio-terror attack.

But, members of the Governors Council on HIV/AIDS warn the nation is rushing the plan.

"It really provides significant danger to a whole range of people that perhaps you might not think of," said Judith Billings with the Governor's Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS.

It takes three weeks for the vaccination sore to heal. And during that time, a person carries virus from the vaccine and can infect someone through skin to skin contact.

Especially at risk:

• People who are HIV positive.
• Organ transplant recipients.
• Chemotherapy patients.
• People with certain skin conditions, including eczema.

In Washington, that's a half million people who could be infected by hospital and health care workers who've been vaccinated.

Doctors say the chance of spreading the infection is rare in a hospital setting. They're more worried about what happens when people who get the vaccine leave the hospital.

"You go home and your kids jump all over you and they scrape your bandage," said Bob Harrington with Harborview Medical Center.

The state health department says it will carefully screen volunteers who are vaccinated and warn them of the risks.

"We've taken that into account... all of their concerns," said Dr. Maxine Hayes, a state health officer.

She says vaccinations won't start until everyone's ready.

"The number on issue is safety," she said.

But critics still wonder if the risks outweigh the benefits.

And now, some are already getting the vaccine. Thursday, the Naval Hospital in Bremerton started vaccinating active military personnel in Bremerton.

The Navy says everyone was carefully screened and educated about the vaccination.

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