[VeritatisSplendor]

It should be possible to determine who would be most vulnerable to complications -- very young children, pregnant women, people with impaired immune systems, frail elderly, and then not vaccinate them. And the unvaccinated would still have some protection because so many people around them would be immunized. When the children are older, the pregnant women have given birth, then they can be vaccinated.

Mrs VS (one of the pregnant)

[HarryKnutszacke]

It should be possible to determine who would be most vulnerable to complications -- very young children, pregnant women, people with impaired immune systems, frail elderly, and then not vaccinate them.

Indeed, all of the above are considered to be relative contraindications to vaccination. The data on complications are based on the rate in healthy people. There is no evidence, that I am aware of, that rate of complications from the vaccine would be any lower today, or the treatment any more effective. In fact, the most effective treatment for the lesser complications of vaccine is vaccinia immune globulin (VIG), and the govt. would need to obtain more of that to treat all the complications.

No, the unfortunate reality is that mass vaccination of all, or most all Americans, would result in a couple hundred deaths and several thousand serious injuries. If we know an attack is inevitable, it may be worth it. If we are not sure anyone hostile even has the virus, it may not be.

HarryK