Diluted Smallpox Vaccine May Cover Shortage

Government researchers may have come up with an answer to the smallpox vaccine shortage.

The country has only 15 million doses of the vaccine. Researchers have been testing a diluted version of the immunization and said early results look promising.

SURVEY Federal officials are purchasing millions of doses of a smallpox vaccine. How many doses does the United States need? Enough for every American to be vaccinated. Enough to vaccinate those most at risk. Enough to have on hand in case of an attack. None; a smallpox attack isn't likely. Results  |  Disclaimer

They said their findings suggest they can expand the supplies to cover at least 75 million people. Study results are expected to be published in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the government is moving ahead to build up the stockpiles.

It has plans to manufacture about 200 million new vaccine doses to supplement the old stockpile and cover the entire U.S. population if need be. The newly manufactured vaccine is forecast to be available by year's end.