A Smallpox Shot?

The vaccine works but carries real risks. How to tell if you should take it

President Bush has finally revealed his plans for protecting the nation against the threat of a smallpox attack, starting with vaccinations for the military, emergency medical personnel, and the Commander in Chief, but it's still not clear what the rest of us are supposed to do. Although the President is not recommending vaccinations for the general public (or his family) at this point, the Administration is known to be stockpiling enough vaccine to begin offering it to every man, woman and child by 2004. These vaccinations will be voluntary, which means we have to decide for ourselves whether the small but...

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