WASHINGTON — The nation’s poor record in child immunization makes it essential that the government continue to offer free vaccines, Vice President Al Gore said Sunday after a report that

Republicans hope to kill the program. Gore, appearing on ABC-TV’s “This Week With David Brinkley,” said the Administration would be willing to make changes to improve the Vaccines for

Children program established by President Clinton in 1993. A government report issued earlier this month criticized the program for mismanagement and ineffectiveness. Now congressional

Republicans are reportedly looking into dismantling it and letting the states run vaccine programs. MORE TO READ