Defense Department will inoculate against smallpox.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Security Beat - Brief Article

The Department of Defense said it plans to prepare against smallpox attacks aimed at U.S. service members.

"Like civilian communities, the Defense Department will ensure preparedness by immunizing personnel based on their occupational responsibilities," said a Pentagon statement. Smallpox response teams and hospital and clinic workers will be among the first to be inoculated.

The Defense Department will proceed to vaccinate other designated personnel. Like other vaccinations ordered for service members by the Defense Department, "this will be mandated for designated personnel unless they are medically exempted," the release said.

Routine...