Bush to Order Smallpox Vaccinations for Military

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 12, 2002

Bush to Order Smallpox Vaccinations for Military

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US President George W. Bush will announce a detailed plan on Friday ordering smallpox vaccinations for military personnel to guard against a biological warfare attack, administration officials said on Wednesday.

Bush is expected to urge vaccination within weeks for 500,000 military personnel and a similar number of emergency workers most likely to be exposed to the virus in a bio-terror attack, including hospital employees, paramedics and police, local media quoted the officials as saying.

Under the phased plan, the vaccine would then be offered to a broader circle of emergency workers, numbering in the millions.

Eventually, the vaccine will be made available to the general public. But this is not expected to happen until 2004, when large stockpiles are licensed.

In an interview with ABC television broadcast on Wednesday night, Bush said he had decided to make smallpox vaccine available to Americans on a voluntary basis.

"I don't think people ought to be compelled to make the decision which they think is best for their family," Bush said.

Federal health officials and the White House have pondered for months over whether to recommend the smallpox vaccination program.

Smallpox was eradicated worldwide in 1978, but experts fear theremaining samples of the virus could have found their way into thehands of potential enemies and could be used in a terror attack.

Scientists say the smallpox vaccine presents a risk of side effects that include death in about one to two cases per million.

After Bush announces his plan, federal health officials will begin a national television ad campaign in an effort to help people decide whether to be vaccinated, local media said.

Polls, including one released on Wednesday, show most people would get the vaccine if given the chance. But health officials fear that many people do not adequately understand the risks.

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