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Jefferson County Fires Top Swine Flu Official

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Nov 1, 2009 2:48 pm US/Mountain

Jefferson County Fires Top Swine Flu Official

DENVER (CBS4) ― As health officials work to get the vaccine out, Jefferson County has fired one of its top officials responding to the swine flu pandemic.

Dr. Gale Miller was one of two epidemiologists with the Jefferson County Health Department. Her letter of dismissal indicates she was fired for her conduct, in large part related to her handling of the swine flu crisis.

Miller has worked for the department for about 2 1/2 years. Her attorney, Richard LaFond, says the impact of the firing could seriously affect the county's response to the H1N1 virus.

"Unfortunately we are probably going to have to wait until spring time and count corpses to see if this is really having an impact or not," LaFond said.

The letter of dismissal from Jefferson County Public Health Executive Director Dr. Mark Johnson stated, "Your recent decisions, actions and communications related to the H1N1 flu pandemic indicate your intent to continue unacceptable practices and behaviors."

Johnson said the unacceptable practices included "interference with operations," "insubordination" and "discourtesy to coworkers."

"I don't believe that people in Jefferson County should be more concerned than anyone in the country," Johnson said. "Basically what we have is an epidemic, we have a pandemic that's going around the world. The federal, state and local levels are all working on the response."

Johnson says the county directs where the vaccine is most needed and the shortage of it is the greatest problem now.

Miller claims she was fired due to sex discrimination and gender stereotyping.

"Her need to control the situation through force has created a very challenging situation … the county may suffer during the H1N1 response," Miller's supervisor Jody Erwin wrote in a memo.

Miller is appealing her firing before a personnel board.

Additional Resources

CBS4's H1N1 Survival Guide contains hospital and clinic information for getting a vaccination -- many of them free. It also contains many useful links, sections and the latest articles and video clips about the swine flu. Visit the H1N1 Survival Guide

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