I'm hearing a lot about smallpox vaccines in the news. Word has it that the Bush administration is pushing to vaccinate as many as 11 million people in the coming months. Those in the military will be first to experience this.

So, why not just vaccinate soldiers in the field who are most likely to come in contact with biological weapons? Are we assuming that smallpox is going to be released in the United States? On what grounds (other than terrorist hysteria) is this decision being made?

It all sounds awfully presumptive.

Considering the harsh side effects of vaccines - which can (in limited cases) kill the vaccinated, are we needlessly endangering the health of our citizens and soldiers? And what about the provision in the Homeland Security Act that shields makers of the smallpox vaccine from legal recourse? Who will compensate those that die as a result?

11+ million vaccines equals a fair chunk of change....so who is manufacturing the vaccine - and for how much are they selling it to the government?

All questions that deserve answers.