The Israeli security cabinet on Wednesday decided to vaccinate about 15,000 emergency, security and rescue personnel against smallpox, a senior government official was quoted as saying by Israel Radio.
The Israeli Agriculture Minister, Shalom Simhon told local press that the decision was taken during a Wednesday meeting of Israel's security subcommittee, which discussed the nation's readiness in the event of a biological warfare threat from Iraq or terrorists. The step was a prelude to a possible inoculation of the entire population against the disease, if security circumstances dictated the move, stated Simhon.
"At a later stage, if necessary, the vaccinations will be given to the entire population. At the present time, there is no threat that demands vaccination of the whole population, but if it becomes necessary, the systems will be ready for the stage in which they are needed," said Simhon.
The vaccination campaign, which was called for by the army, will start "in the coming days" and could later be extended to other categories of the Israeli population, Israeli army radio added.
Israel fears Iraq could react to a US strike by attacking Israel, as was the case during the 1991 Gulf War, and it has been bracing for chemical and biological warfare.
Israeli Defense Minister, Binyamin Ben Eliezer was quoted in the Maariv daily Wednesday as saying Israel "was ready to lend its military bases to the United States, if requested. "But so far, the Americans have not asked us anything," he said, adding that his country "was ready to face any Iraqi attack." (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
