If only half of us had the vaccine... it could save the nation.. and make spreading the infection VERY difficult indeed.
Those with risk factors can skip the vaccine, unless someone in their proximity comes down with it... then they could choose to have it, or perhaps face death.
With all the first responders and health care workers vaccinated, we could pretty well make the nation "bullet proof."
And we probably should.
Research I saw last week reported that those folks who have had the vaccine even four decades ago, showed little degradation of their immune system's response... the truth is, MOST of us over 35 or 40, already have an immunity.
But the rattling of the cages tells us, that the balloon is going up soon... and it may be more involved than just an attack in Iraq.
Note that the concrete biological threat from Iraq is anthrax, not smallpox. We don't even know if Iraq has smallpox, and it's utility as a weapon is much lower than anthrax because of the blowback potential. However, the "A" word is practically off limits for now, because if it assumed too much public prominence, various dots would be connected that for now are best left unconnected. But you'll notice that the infrastructure being put in place to meet the smallpox contigency is the same as would be required to meet the anthrax contingency. In fact, while we
could pre-vaccinate for smallpox, that is not a realistic option for anthrax -- at present, very rapid mass delivery of vaccine or antitoxins after-the-fact is the
only feasible approach to protecting the civilian population.
Just a reminder that the stated purpose of an action isn't necessarily the real purpose or the primary purpose.