House Republicans - Stop Anthrax Shots
Pentagon - No
Dateline: 02/17/00
Hours after Republican members of the House subcommittee on national security issued a report recommending the U.S. military not administer its planned anthrax vaccinations to all active and reserve troops, the Pentagon rejected the idea.
The report alleges that the military anthrax vaccine being used had not been proven effective having been designed in the 1950s for treating farm workers.
Chairman of the subcommittee, Rep. Christopher Shays (R. CT) stated, "The problem is we believe that the military has acted too quickly and has not done what is necessary, and that is to develop a drug that is modern, that doesn't take six shots and that is a cleaner drug."
So far, 351 members of the military have refused to take the series of six injections despite being threatened with court martial. The subcommittee report recommends that the shots be made voluntary until a more modern vaccine can be formulated and tested.
The Pentagon, however refused to recognize any suggestion that the vaccination schedule be delayed or made voluntary.
At a Pentagon news conference, Dr. Sue Bailey, assistant defense secretary for health affairs said, "We have a very safe and effective vaccine against a deadly biologic agent we know to be in the hands of our adversaries and could be used against our forces."
Dr. Bailey noted that out of over 1.5 million vaccinations given so far, 620 cases of flu-like reactions had been reported, and that only six appeared to have been directly linked to the vaccine.
The House subcommittee report suggests that the military rushed the vaccination program into action due "post-Gulf War panic" creating "an unmanageably broad military undertaking built on a dangerously narrow scientific and medical foundation."
According to the report, the FDA tested the vaccine in 1985 and declared it safe and effective against anthrax contracted through contact with the skin, but did not find sufficient data to declare it effective against airborne exposures.
Earlier in the day, the Air Force announced it would not proceed with the court-martial of Major Sonnie Bates, who refused to take the vaccinations at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Maj. Bates could have been sentenced to up to five years in prison for the charge of disobeying an order.
The Republican subcommittee report must now be considered by the full House Committee on Government Reform where it will face the challenge of bipartisan review before being brought to a vote.
Reference Resources
DoD Anthrax Immunization Program
Official Defense Department information on the anthrax vaccine and immunization program. Instructions and forms for reporting adverse reactions are available.Take it or Not? You Decide
The Gulf War Veterans Association presents material for helping members of the military evaluate the safety of the ciurrent anthrax vaccination program.House Committee on Government Reform
The congressional committee that will review and possibly vote on the Republican report calling for a delay in the anthrax vaccination program.
On Other About.com GuideSites |
US Military Health Care NetLinks
About.com's Guide to the US Military Rod Powers has created and extensive list of Internet resources for anyone needing information about military health care.Anthrax and More -- Are You Ready?
Anthrax and other weapons of mass destruction are a real threat, get prepared to treat the victims, from your About.com Guide to the health care industry, Keith Rasmussen.The New Scourge
And what about "designer" anthrax? Biology Guide Regina Bailey reports.
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