Suspension of Anthrax Program Urged

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Suspension of Anthrax Program Urged

By CATHERINE STRONG

..c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The program to inoculate all 2.4 million American troops

against anthrax as protection against biological warfare is based on ``a

paucity of science'' and should be suspended, a House panel says in a report

sharply critical of the Defense Department.

The anthrax vaccine should be considered experimental because its

effectiveness against biological warfare is uncertain and the safety of

troops taking the anthrax shots is not being monitored adequately, according

to the report being released today by the House Government Reform national

security subcommittee.

``At best, the vaccine provides some measure of protection to most who

receive it,'' says a draft of the report obtained by The Associated Press.

``Just how much protection is acquired, by whom, for how long ... are

questions the Defense Department answers with an excess of faith but a

paucity of science.''

A Defense Department spokesman, Jim , said Wednesday that Pentagon

officials were reviewing the congressional recommendations.

Pentagon and Food and Drug Administration officials have said repeatedly the

vaccine is safe and effective. FDA officials also say they believe there is

no basis for concluding the approved vaccine should be demoted to an

investigational drug category.

The 80-page report was written by the subcommittee's Republican majority

after five hearings on the immunization program.

The vaccine has come under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers as soldiers

have expressed concerns about taking the six-shot regimen. Complaints

included fevers, muscle pain and dizziness. Reserve and National Guard

pilots

testified that morale was plummeting and colleagues would resign rather than

take the vaccine.

In 1998, Defense Secretary Cohen ordered all active duty and reserve

troops to get the shots, starting with soldiers most likely to encounter

biological warfare overseas. More than 380,000 service members have been

immunized so far.

About 200 to 300 have refused to take it because of concerns about its

safety

and efficacy, Pentagon officials say.

More than 400 reports of adverse reactions have been filed. While FDA

officials have linked the vaccine to few of the reactions with a high level

of confidence, the agency has not been able to rule it out entirely.

Anthrax has never been used in combat, but the Pentagon fears Iraq, North

Korea and other countries - or terrorist groups - might try. Anthrax is a

naturally occurring bacteria found in domesticated animals; it can be

produced as dry spores that, when inhaled, cause death within a few days.

``We feel the program is a vital force protection program against a known

threat,'' said.

But the House panel's report called the program unrealistic in providing

protection against only one form of biological attack.

The vaccine was studied mostly for its effectiveness in protecting mill

workers and livestock handlers decades ago against infection from touching

animals or animal hides.

There is little research on the inhalation of anthrax spores by humans and

no

long-term health research on the vaccine, the report says; therefore, the

vaccine should be regarded as an investigational drug, requiring the

approval

of troops to be administered.

The report also says the program should be suspended because some troops do

not trust medical information provided by a Defense Department that has

engaged in ``heavy-handed propaganda,'' labeling critics as paranoid rather

than answering their questions.

Instead of encouraging reporting of adverse reactions, the lawmakers said,

the military may have underreported problems with shots due to an

``institutional culture that is hostile, even resistant, to reports.''

The lawmakers also were critical of BioPort Corp. of Lansing, Mich., the

vaccine's sole supplier. The report recommended research and development of

a

second-generation vaccine, allowing other companies to compete to alleviate

supply shortages and cost increases.

AP-NY-02-17-00 0216EST