[AIN] RE: CIA VACCINATIONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06380018
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: October 4, 2019
• Case Number: F-2014-00434
• Publication Date: May 19, 2014

Approved for Release: 2019/10/01 C06380018
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Mazzetti, Mark
19, 2014 9:31 PM
Caitlin_M_Hayden
[AIN] Re: CIA vaccinations
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
thanks all
On Mon, May 19, 2014 at 9:30 PM
' Mark,
From our end, you can use the below on the record from me:
wrote:
� CIA Director Brennan established this policy in August 2013 after carefully considering a variety of views, including
those from outside the Agency. He took seriously the concerns raised by the public health community, examined them
I closely, and took decisive action.
There are many obstacles that can stand in the way of successful vaccination programs abroad. These obstacles
run the gamut from myths that vaccinations cause sterility or HIV, to long-standing extremist claims that foreign
vaccination programs are spy operations run by Western governments. While the CIA can do little about the former,
the Director felt he could do something important to dispel the latter and he acted.
It is important to note that militant groups have a long history of attacking humanitarian aid workers in Pakistan
and those attacks began years before the raid against the bin Laden compound and years before any press reports
claiming a CIA-sponsored vaccination program.
� CIA has great respect for the vital work that vaccination workers perform around the globe, often under very
dangerous conditions. By publicizing this policy, our objective is to dispel one canard that militant groups have used as
justification for cowardly attacks against vaccination providers.
I hope this is helpful.
(b)(6)
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Approved for Release: 2019/10/01 C06380018
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CIA Spokesperson
From: Hayden, Caitlin [mailto
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:28 PM
To
Cc
Subject: Re: CIA vaccinations
+CIA
On record: I can confirm that Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco has
sent a letter to the Deans of twelve schools of public health. The letter makes clear that as CIA policy, established by
Director Brennan in August 2013, the CIA will make no operational use of vaccination programs, which includes
vaccination workers. Similarly, the Agency will not seek to obtain or exploit DNA or other genetic material acquired
through such programs. This policy applies worldwide, and to US persons and non-US persons alike. As her letter says,
the Administration fully supports this policy, which demonstrates our support for global health and our continued
commitment to the global eradication of polio. Beyond that, I refer any questions you have to the CIA.
Off record: Here's the letter, but would appreciate your not attributing to me.
From: Mazzetti, Mark
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 09:23 PM
To: Hayden, Caitlin
Subject: CIA vaccinations
Hey Cailin-
Hope all is well. Following up on Yahoo story about CIA vaccinations. Do you have letters you could send?
Thanks
Mark
National Security Correspondent
The New York Times
Work: 202-862-0303
National Security Correspondent
The New York Times
Work: 202-862-0303
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Approved for Release: 2019/10/01 C06380018