Smallpox Threat

Should Americans get vaccinated?

Introduction

The worldwide eradication of smallpox — one of the most lethal diseases in history — stands alone in the annals of public-health successes. But since the Sept. 11 attacks, the prospect of terrorists using smallpox as a weapon has become a real possibility. Intelligence officials say enemies of the United States, including North Korea and Iraq, have obtained the killer virus. In December, President Bush announced sweeping plans to immediately begin vaccinating millions of soldiers and health-care workers, and then to make the vaccine available to the population at large, beginning in 2004. Many public-health experts say the president is taking the appropriate steps to protect the nation. But others warn that the vaccine is too dangerous to be given to millions of Americans when ...

locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles