KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Bill, the administration definitely taking a big step to protect the country in the case of any possible smallpox attacks. Senior administration officials telling my colleague John King that the administration is close to finalizing deal to purchase nearly 290 million doses of the smallpox vaccine. Now that would be enough to cover everyone in the United States. We understand that the Department of Health and Human Services working on a contract. An announcement could come as early as today. Bill, this not unexpected. We know we've heard from the administration, saying that it wanted to dramatically increase the stockpile of the smallpox vaccine, another step to protect the country from any bioterrorist attack. At this point, though, Bill, no talk of any massive immunization plan, just to have this vaccine on hand in the case of any possible outbreak. And as for what else going on besides the noisy street cleaner, whatever it is, excuse me, The president meeting right now with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to focus on the talks going on in Germany now, creating a post-Taliban government, and also discussions of humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. I will stop there, Bill, and toss it back to you.</s>HEMMER: Kelly, thank you. Always something happening there on the front line of the White House. Kelly Wallace in Washington. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
White House Close to Finalizing Deal to Purchase Nearly 290 Million Doses of Smallpox Vaccine