Pounds Of Prevention

FINALLY, PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS UNVEILED a program not likely to be controversial: a $300 million initiative to spur vaccinations against childhood diseases. About half of U.S. two-year-olds have not received all their shots; in the western hemisphere, only Bolivia and Haiti have poorer records. The money will create a national system to keep track of immunizations and will enable public clinics to work longer hours and buy more vaccines. Clinton stopped short, though, of a $700 million proposal to guarantee free shots to all kids.

The drive to immunize is a priority of Hillary Rodham Clinton's. At a conference in Pennsylvania, the First Lady chided drug firms for raising vaccine prices more than tenfold since 1981. The next day President Clinton echoed that theme, charging drugmakers with seeking "profits at the expense of our children." The companies say high prices result from product-liability suits aimed at the industry.