[Oorang]

Interesting article, thanks. Sure makes me feel like I, along with millions of other children, were possibly used as human guinea pigs.

[StillProud2BeFree]

Actually, I think the childhood smallpox immunization program, along with other childhood immunizations, have saved many many lives. I also have done quite a bit of geneology research, and it is amazing the number of ancestors who lost brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins to diseases we don't even worry about any more. Smallpox, measles, diphteria, whoping cough, and polio were all killers less than a hundred years ago. I have never had any reservations getting my kids their shots.

Only problem I had was my son got exposed to chicken pox the week before he was due for his shot - and came down with chicken pox while on steroids for a croup-like condition (which he fortunately outgrew). The docs suppressed the chicken pox with acyclovir so he had a mild case, then gave him the shot a couple of months later. I guess it worked - he was exposed at school before Christmas and no chicken pox!