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Why is the Smallpox Vaccine More Dangerous than Other Vaccines?

Feb 11, 2026 February 11, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The U.S. plans to vaccinate its armed forces and health workers against smallpox due to concerns over potential terrorist attacks. The smallpox vaccine is considered more dangerous than other vaccines, raising public health concerns.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The U.S. is prioritizing smallpox vaccination for military and health personnel due to bioterrorism fears, despite the vaccine's associated risks.

👥 Key Players

President of the United States MENTIONED
Commander-in-Chief
"The President's decisions impact national security and public health policies."
U.S. Armed Forces MENTIONED
Military branch responsible for national defense
"They are the first group to receive the vaccine, highlighting the priority given to military readiness against biological threats."
Health and Emergency Agencies MENTIONED
Organizations responsible for public health and emergency response
"These agencies will play a critical role in administering the vaccine and managing public health responses."
Mansour Farahian MENTIONED
Scientific Reporter for Voice of America
"His reporting provides insights into U.S. health policies and their implications."

📰 What Happened

The U.S. plans to vaccinate its armed forces and health workers against smallpox due to fears of potential terrorist attacks using biological agents. The smallpox vaccine is noted for being more dangerous than typical vaccines, raising concerns about its administration.

  • The smallpox vaccine is associated with higher risks compared to other vaccines.
  • Vaccination will begin with military personnel and health workers as a precautionary measure.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This development may heighten Iran's concerns about U.S. military actions and biological warfare capabilities.
🌍 Regional: Increased U.S. military readiness could escalate tensions in the Middle East, particularly with countries like Iran.
🌐 International: This situation highlights the ongoing global threat of bioterrorism and the complexities of vaccine safety.

📚 Background

Smallpox was eradicated in 1980, but concerns about its use as a bioweapon have led to stockpiling of vaccines. The smallpox vaccine can cause serious side effects, making its administration controversial.

Bioterrorism Public health policy
📡 Source: INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
Voice of America is a U.S. government-funded news source, which may reflect U.S. perspectives and policies.

Why is the smallpox vaccine, which is set to be administered to all people in America, more dangerous than other vaccines? By order of the President of the United States, which is expected to be issued in the coming days, first the members of the U.S. armed forces and then the staff of health and emergency agencies will be vaccinated to neutralize the terrorists' plot to spread germs and diseases among human communities. Mansour Farahian, a scientific reporter for Voice of America, reports on this matter.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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