Did CIA’s Fake Vaccine Drive Undermine Global Health Efforts?

The Takeaway

Reports are emerging that the C.I.A. used a fake vaccination drive in Pakistan to gather intelligence on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, prior to the May 1 raid where the Al Qaida leader was killed. The fake vaccine drive has received criticism from members of the public health community, who say this type of strategy could undermine future efforts to combat diseases across the globe. One of these critics is  Christopher Albon. He runs the website Conflict Health, where writes about public health, international affairs and medical intelligence, and says that the C.I.A.’s actions are “irresponsible and utterly reprehensible.”

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