News outlets report that in a written response to a group of public health school deans, President Obama’s top homeland security adviser, Lisa Monaco, states the CIA no longer will use vaccination programs for covert operations, as was done in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

Associated Press/Minneapolis Star Tribune: After polio outbreaks, CIA promises never again to use vaccination programs as cover to spy
“A top White House official has pledged that the CIA will no longer use vaccination programs as cover for spying operations. The agency used the ruse in targeting Osama bin Laden before the U.S. raid that killed him in 2011…” (Braun, 5/20).

CNN: CIA policy: Won’t use vaccination programs as part of operations
“A newly disclosed CIA policy mandates that it won’t use vaccination programs as part of its operations, according to the Obama administration. The directive by CIA Director John Brennan, made nine months ago but only coming to light now, followed concerns raised by leaders of a dozen U.S. public health schools in a letter to President Barack Obama…” (Bentz, 5/20).

Reuters: White House vows CIA will not use vaccine programs for covert ops
“…Caitlin Hayden, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, said Obama homeland security adviser Lisa Monaco had assured … that CIA policy as of August 2013 makes clear ‘the CIA will make no operational use of vaccination programs, which includes vaccination workers’…” (Holland, 5/19).

Yahoo News: After bin Laden backlash, CIA promises: No more vaccination campaigns for spying
“Amid a deadly backlash again vaccinations and a resurgence of polio in Pakistan, the White House has promised that the CIA will never again use an immunization campaign as a tool of spycraft…” (Knox, 5/19).