In Another Anthrax Scare the Federal Government Might Mandate Vaccinations for the American Public

If America would face another anthrax scare, such as the one that the country faced in 2001 when powder-laden envelopes containing the substance arrived in envelopes in Washington D.C., killing five people, the federal government might mandate widespread vaccinations against the substance for the American public it was announced today. A medical expert who had previously testified before Congress on the dangers of the shots made those comments on the website, www.worldnetdaily.net.

If the government would order such shots, it would no doubt need the cooperation of many local hospitals across the country. USA Today announced in 2003 that when the Bush Administration wanted to vaccinate 11 million Americans against another health threat-smallpox-more than 80 hospitals from across the country refused to participate.

Actually the hospitals and medical professionals who did not participate in the program to vaccinate health professionals against a possible future terrorist threat represented a small percentage of those in 3000 hospitals that did participate. Those who did not participate said they were more concerned about the health risks from the shot than the possibility of smallpox being used as a terrorist weapon.

Dr. Meryl Nass, of the Medical Board of Internal Medicine, is the expert who previously testified before Congress. She said if there should be another anthrax attack, such as in 2001, it would be legally and technically possible for the government to order the vaccination of Americans.

Dr. Nass used the example that if a handful of people in an office building in Los Angeles were to be exposed, the government might order anthrax vaccinations for everyone in the building, possibly for the entire population of Los Angeles.

Some people have questioned how safe the anthrax vaccinations are and what the danger might be if the American public had to participate.