Bioterrorism and smallpox planning: information and voluntary vaccination
Date
2004
Authors
Selgelid, M J
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Abstract
Although smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, there are fears that stocks of the virus manufactured for military purposes by the Soviet Union may have fallen into the hands of "rogue nations" or terrorists. Worries about bioterrorism have thus sparked debate about whether or not the smallpox vaccine, which can be dangerous, should be offered to the general public. Meaningful public debate on this issue requires expert information about the likelihood that the virus will in fact be used as a weapon. Informed voluntary individual decision making, about whether to get vaccinated if vaccine is made available to the public, would similarly require appreciation of the likelihood of attack. Public deliberation and private deliberation thus both require briefing by the intelligence community.
Description
Keywords
health care and public health, war and human rights abuses, disclosure, humans, patient participation, public health practice, smallpox, smallpox vaccine, vaccination, bioterrorism
Citation
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Source
Journal of Medical Ethics
Type
Journal article