Does the RAND study support President Bushs smallpox policy?
A. The President said that the risk of a smallpox attack is low but not zero. Our study, which is designed to help policymakers understand the implications of various risk levels, agrees with the President’s recommendations at this level of risk, and shows that the President’s policy has a sound scientific basis. The President ordered smallpox vaccinations for about a half-million people in the military, and recommended vaccination to civilian health care workers. He said the rest of the people in this country don’t need vaccinations at this time. The President is saying that, given the low likelihood of a bioterrorist smallpox attack, vaccinating everyone could do more harm than good. For a low likelihood of attack, our study agrees. Q. Why is vaccination of health care workers recommended? A. Health care workers face the greatest risk of exposure to smallpox if this terrible disease is ever introduced to this country by terrorists or an enemy nation. Health care workers are exposed t
