Experts to decide who will receive smallpox vaccines

ATLANTA -- The question carries critical weight in the new age of bioterrorism: Who should have access to vaccine against deadly smallpox?

This week, a panel of 15 health experts meets to debate whether to expand the vaccinations -- and then decide who would be included. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which sets vaccine policy, is expected to make a decision Thursday. The panel's recommendation will go to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.

In rare cases, the vaccine itself causes devastating side effects -- including brain damage and even death. If every American were vaccinated, hundreds of people could die from side effects.

"I would not give that vaccine to my children now," said Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the panel and chief of infectious diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.