Preparedness in the event of a smallpox outbreak The use of
Bacillus anthracis in the United States in the autumn of 2001
with the intent to harm a civilian population has raised public
health concerns among countries about potential exposure to
intentionally released Variola virus and other biological
agents. Efforts by WHO to support Member States in the event of
intentional use of Variola virus as a biological weapon include
activities to strengthen preparedness: Smallpox vaccine supply
An inventory of the global vaccine supply has been carried out.
WHO still retains a small stockpile of smallpox vaccine.
However, WHO is working to create a global vaccine reserve to
support emergency response. - Global smallpox vaccine reserve,
Report by the Secretariat to the WHO Executive Board, December
2004 A G7+ - Global Health Security Initiative Workshop held in
September 2002 reviewed the production and handling of vaccines
for smallpox and other potentially dangerous pathogens. "Best
Practices in Vaccine Productio