It could herald an important shift away from the current emphasis on vaccinating those at the highest risk of death from influenza and toward nearly universal vaccination.

In December, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended universal vaccination of adolescents with one of the two new vaccines specially for people previously fully immunized.

Such new technology, combined with the heavy use of volunteers, is bringing within reach a United Nations target of universal vaccination for third world children by 1990.

In the 1960s the government implemented a program of almost universal vaccinations.

Hauer charged that the Office of the Vice President was pushing for the universal vaccination despite the vaccine's health risks, primarily exaggerate the risk of biological terrorism.

But a new study tilts the argument in favor of universal vaccination.

For example, an 1853 law required universal vaccination against smallpox in England and Wales, with fines levied on people who did not comply.

"What a lot of us would like to see is FluMist get licensed and then move to universal vaccination."

During the rubella pandemic of 1964-65, Apgar became an outspoken advocate for universal vaccination to prevent mother-to-child transmission of rubella.

There are now fewer than ten cases a year in the U.S., although there are still a great many in countries without universal vaccination.