Illness from smallpox shot seen in soldiers, not civilians
Two soldiers have had potentially serious reactions days after receiving the smallpox vaccine, but no problems have been reported among more than 400 civilian health workers immunized in the past two weeks, a health official said Wednesday. The soldiers are the first known cases of severe reactions among thousands being vaccinated as part of the president’s bioterrorism preparedness plan. Both men are recovering. Under the first phase of the plan, 500,000 military personnel will be immunized. About 450,000 civilian public health and hospital workers are being offered the vaccine. They would care for the first victims if terrorists unleash the virus. Full Story