In 1998, President Clinton said he expected a biological or chemical attack within the next five years.
Smallpox is an area of focus because the American population is very susceptible to it.
A U.S. subsidiary of the Cambridge-based biotechnology company Acambis will manufacture the vaccine ordered by the government. Delivery to the CDC is expected to begin in mid-2004. Meanwhile, the CDC urges health-care providers to be aware of the biological terrorism threat. Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response .