Winter is approaching along with the flu season, but this year some students are more concerned about smallpox than influenza.

The Bush administration recently ordered 155 million doses of the smallpox vaccine to protect America from a possible biological terrorist attack with the disease. The vaccine is not available to the general public, but will be administered in case of an attack.

Some students are considering receiving the vaccine if smallpox becomes a threat and the administration decides to start inoculating the general public.

"I guess if they were widely available, I'd get a vaccination, but I'm not really worried," Megan Charlton (sophomore-communications) said.

Justin Besspiata (junior-finance) agrees that the vaccine is a good safety precaution, but would not spend a large amount of money for one.

"If they were cheap, I'd get one," Besspiata said.

James Dattilo (junior-hotel, restaurant, and institutional management) would not consider receiving the vaccine, but he fears smallpox.

"I don't think it's a real threat, but I hope I never get smallpox," Dattilo said.

Penn State officials, however, said vaccinations will not be widely available anytime soon.

"My understanding is that currently (vaccinations) are not available," said Dr. Margaret Spear, director of University Health Services. "My guess is that, eventually, some labs will be able to give them."

Spear said that two labs in the country produce the vaccine, therefore it is not available to the average patient.

In addition, "nothing suggests we're close to having a vaccine again," Spear said.

Although the government is prepared for a biological attack, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not feel such an attack is likely.

The risk for smallpox occurring as a result of a deliberate release by terrorists is considered low, and the population at risk for such an exposure cannot be determined, according to the CDC Web site (www.cdc.gov).

Students support the government's decision to purchase more smallpox vaccines in fear of an attack.

"As a precautionary measure, it was a good idea in case something happens," Charlton said.

Students also think vaccines will defeat any smallpox attacks but still believe terrorists would attempt this form of attack.

"I think they would still keep trying," Brian Bartnikiewicz (senior-psychology) said.

Dattilo said he does not think the vaccines should be given on a routine basis as they were in the past.

"It's a waste of government money," he said.

Nonetheless, many feel routine vaccines are a good idea.

"You can never be too safe," Besspiata said.

Another possible option, some students said, would be to administer the vaccine only to people who want it.

"Right now it should be optional, but if smallpox becomes a threat, you should have to get the vaccine," Charlton said.