SMALLPOX VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR DOD DEPENDENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000555

SIPDIS

DOD FOR DEPSECDEF
COMCFLCC FOR SURGEON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2013
TAGS: AMED AMGT ASEC KU PTER US
SUBJECT: SMALLPOX VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR DOD DEPENDENTS


Classified By: CDA FRANK C. URBANCIC, REASON: 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4.


2. (C) Embassy is set to begin smallpox vaccinations on
Sunday, February 16. We understand that DoD has still not
given its assent to inclusion of DoD dependents in this
program. Of the total of approximately 145 US Mission Kuwait
dependents, over 100 have already requested departure from
the country under the terms of the Authorized Departure
status issued by the Department of State on January 30. More
are expected to depart in coming weeks, leaving a very few in
country. Of these, Embassy anticipates that not more than
25, and probably fewer than that, will be dependents of DoD
employees assigned to the Embassy under Chief of Mission
authority.


3. (C) A team of medical technicians from the Department of
State will visit Kuwait City February 13 - 18 to begin to
administer smallpox vaccinations to Mission employees and
dependents who request it. To date, however, DoD has not
approved indemnification for its dependent members. This
places the Ambassador in an impossible double standard
situation. All Mission employees and their dependents are in
Kuwait doing the work of the people of the United States.
They all work in the same spaces, live in similar
circumstances, and share the same risks. They all deserve
equal protection against potential bio-terrorism.


4. (C) Action Requested: To ensure that the very few DoD
dependents assigned to Kuwait City, fewer than 25 total,
receive the same treatment and support from the Ambassador as
those assigned from other agencies, request immediate DoD
authorization to provide smallpox vaccinations program to DoD
dependents in Kuwait. Please advise by immediate cable
whether this request has been approved or denied in time for
the team to vaccinate those DoD family members who request it
NLT Monday, February 17. We understand that discussions are
already ongoing on this topic in Washington and we look
forward to a positive response. The Ambassador has reviewed
and approved this message.
URBANCIC