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Most Americans Polled Favor Smallpox Vaccine

Three of five Americans would be willing to be vaccinated against smallpox, despite possible severe side effects, the Cox News Service reports of a new poll conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health.

Those in favor of getting the vaccine would jump to more than 80 percent if a case of the deadly disease were discovered, says Dr. Robert Blendon, who conducted the poll. One in 10 people surveyed would refuse to be vaccinated, no matter how great the threat.

Some health experts say the highly potent vaccine poses a risk of death or serious injury -- especially to people with weakened immune systems. Those at greatest risk would include pregnant women and people with cancer, immune disorders, eczema or HIV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is holding public meetings in several cities this week before it formalizes recommendations about possible widespread inoculations.

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