AMA declines to call for nationwide smallpox vaccination

<br>SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The American Medical Association on Tuesday refused to endorse smallpox vaccinations for all Americans, as some doctors have called for. <br><br>Instead, the AMA called on federal

Tuesday, December 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The American Medical Association on Tuesday refused to endorse smallpox vaccinations for all Americans, as some doctors have called for.

Instead, the AMA called on federal heath authorities to continue studying the repercussions of mass inoculation.

Some doctors said they are worried that the vaccine itself could kill as many as 300 people if the entire U.S. population were vaccinated.

``There are huge, complex issues involved and due deliberation is needed,'' said Dr. Ron Davis, a public health expert from Detroit and a member of the AMA's 16-member board of trustees.

The AMA is meeting in San Francisco.