(No subject)

[Guest guest]

,

Have you written your Congressman and Senators? If not, please do so ASAP.

Express all your concerns and what changes you would like to make.

[Guest guest]

When you get Shalala's address, please post it. Also post the address and a

reporters name for the Washington Post. In these cases I think snail mail is

better.

[Guest guest]

DSNurse@... wrote:

>

> From: DSNurse@...

>

> Anthrax Veteran Claims Vaccine 'no Big Deal'

> By Pfc. Cantu

> MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. (Feb 4) -- As a boy growing up on a

> cattle ranch in , Idaho, 9-year-old Mark A. would often watch

> his father, a veterinarian, give their cattle a variety of shots to protect

> them from various diseases. While his father took the time to protect his

> cattle, he also vaccinated his family against the fatal Anthrax bacteria

> common to the livestock industry. That boy, now a Marine with Marine Aviation

> Logistics Squadron-13, rubbed his arm and dashed off to explore the ranch,

> forgetting all about the shot.

> When Staff Sgt. Mark A. , MALS-13's substance abuse counselor, told

> his mother recently that he was to get the Anthrax vaccination she reminded

> him that he had already received the shot as a boy. As far as is

> concerned, the reservations some service members have about the shot are

> unfounded.

> " I'm still here. I don't have any cancer. I'm not dying. It doesn't cause

> sterility. And that's a fact - I have five children, " said . " It's

> really no big deal. "

> Since Secretary of Defense Cohen ordered all military personnel to

> receive the Anthrax vaccination, controversy and fears have risen about the

> vaccine's safety. Those concerns and fears are fueled by unsubstantiated

> reports posted on the Internet or put forth by groups with their own agenda.

> The vaccine was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in 1970 after

> years of extensive scientific experiments and tests which yielded no

> conclusive evidence that the vaccine causes long-term side effects or health

> problems.

Uh...1970? Hmmm lets see...that makes..1970-1999...29 years? And the

vaccine is supposed to have been around for the past 30 years? (Which

someone else mentioned earlier). And this gung-ho marine's dad gave it

to his entire family 34 years ago? I wouldn't doubt if it was the same

shot he gave to his animals. Facts need to be checked out with this

story as to whether the human anthrax vaccine was available to ranchers

of that time period even though it wasn't FDA approved. Even then it

may have been a different vaccine as seems to be the case with the mill

workers.

> The vaccine has been administered to countless veterinarians,

> laboratory workers and livestock workers for more than 20 years. Even Cohen

> and the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. C. Krulak received the

> vaccination.

As usual no evidence to backup that above statement. I also seriously

wonder if all these head honchos in the Pentagon are even taking the

full series of the vaccines. The damage that the vaccine may do to the

body may also be in porportion to the amount of the vaccine that you

receive. I have no medical evidence of this however, but it is something

that I think may be worth looking into. Maybe Dr. Nass can comment on

that. Anyone know how many Anthrax shots the Gulf War vets recieved on

average?

> It has been 34 years since received his first Anthrax shot, long

> enough to prove to him that there are no long-term effects to worry about. Not

> only is healthy and " very fertile, " his entire family has received the

> vaccinations and are just as healthy.

> " All my brothers and sisters are married and have children. We all have 10

> toes and 10 fingers, " said . He said he has never heard of any health

> problems with any of them.

> While the deadly Bacillus Anthracis bacteria has been mostly eradicated in

> the United States, military members are more likely to face a form of the

> disease produced by hostile countries. Inhalation Anthrax is a man-made

> biological weapon with the same horrible symptoms as the form that effects

> livestock, said Lt. Cmdr. Heins, Marine Aircraft Group-13 group

> surgeon.

> According to Heins, within the first 24 hours of being exposed to Anthrax,

> the victim might develop a slight fever, muscle pains, cough, chest pains and

> malaise (not wanting to do anything). This initial phase is usually mistaken

> as a common virus, which makes the early diagnosis and treatment of Anthrax

> virtually impossible. Sometimes this initial phase is followed by a brief

> recovery period.

> The onset of worse symptoms will begin within 24 hours and includes

> shortness of breath, wheezing caused by increased difficulty in breathing, and

> internal bleeding that may flood the lungs, esophagus and the brain. At that

> point the victim may begin to cough-up blood and to bleed from the ears, nose

> and the eyes. The bleeding causes the victim to turn blue or black in color.

> Sweating, a swelling of the chest area, seizures and severe shock from blood

> loss also occur before the victim ultimately dies.

> " It's a horrible death, " said Heins. " The victim's final agonizing days may

> be worse than anything he or she has ever experienced ... and it's 100 percent

> fatal. "

> Other than a gas mask, a person's only real protection against Anthrax is

> prior vaccination.

> " We call it our biological flak jacket, " said Heins. " Just like a flak

> jacket protects us from bullets, the vaccine protects us from Anthrax. "

Lt. Cmdr. Heins needs to go back to infantry school if she

thinks a flack jacket stops bullets. Flak jackets stop flack, meaning

shrapnel, not bullets. So overall I guess her analogy is fairly accurate

as neither flack jacket or the vaccine protect fully against the things

she says they protect against.

> Heins said there is no reason to fear this vaccine.

> " The Anthrax vaccination is no different from any of the other vaccinations

> we get, " said Heins.

> While has no reservations about the vaccine, he understands why

> people have concerns.

> " We as Marines today are being told all of a sudden here's a new shot that

> we have to get and that's where all the fear comes in, " said .

No sir, it's because the military and our governement isn't answering

our valid questions concerning this shot.

> will be retiring from the Marine Corps in December and his plans may

> include returning to Idaho and the way of life in which he was raised. And

> just as his daddy did for him on that small cattle ranch more than 30 years

> ago, said he plans to protect his own family.

> " I'm going to get it, my children are going to get it and my wife is going

> to get it, " said . " I truly believe in my heart that it's a good thing. "

>

You gotta feel sorry for this man's family.

G.

[Guest guest]

DSNurse@... wrote:

>

> From: DSNurse@...

>

> Preparing For Invisible Killers

> Smallpox and Anthrax Could Be Put to Work in Biological Warfare

> (Washington Post, February 23, 1999, Health Section)

> Even though the chances of a terrorist release of smallpox or anthrax in

> the United States is small, the nation's public health community must be ready

> for the possibility, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala told a

> Washington conference on the subject last week. She said increased government

> funding is needed to train health workers and produce vaccines and drugs to

> combat those and more conventional biological weapons.

>

>

Oh crap...here we go...already the top officials of public health are

gearing up for public Anthrax vaccinations.

Let's see if we can get an email address for Health and Human Services

Secretary Donna Shalala, or for her office. All of us need to email the

Washington Post as well to challenge her comments. These public

officials making these comments need to be aggressively challenged.

Even if they did try to implement such a policy, it would have to be

voluntary. There is no way on earth they could enforce such a policy,

escept by banning unvaccinated children from public schools. But there

is always home schooling. Another way they could enforce something like

that would be to force employers to make sure all their employees are

vaccinated. But I seriously doubt the governement would go to those

lengths. We need to nip this thing in the bud get everyone up in a

frenzy over these Anthrax scares. The DoD and the various intelligence

offices are masters of " perception management " . The trick is to

challenge it early on very vigorously.

G.

(I'll be seeing if I can dig up any email addresses under Health and

Human services and Mrs. Shalala's office)

[Guest guest]

>

>Uh...1970? Hmmm lets see...that makes..1970-1999...29 years? And the

>vaccine is supposed to have been around for the past 30 years? (Which

>someone else mentioned earlier). And this gung-ho marine's dad gave it

>to his entire family 34 years ago? I wouldn't doubt if it was the same

>shot he gave to his animals. Facts need to be checked out with this

>story as to whether the human anthrax vaccine was available to ranchers

>of that time period even though it wasn't FDA approved. Even then it

>may have been a different vaccine as seems to be the case with the mill

>workers.

>

>

>

And how about bringing charges against the dad for practicing medicine

without a license.

>> Heins said there is no reason to fear this vaccine.

>> " The Anthrax vaccination is no different from any of the other

vaccinations

>> we get, " said Heins.

And yes, there are MAJOR problems with the other vaccines too.

This is NOT an anomaly.

>> " I'm going to get it, my children are going to get it and my wife is going

>> to get it, " said . " I truly believe in my heart that it's a good

thing. "

And doesn't his wife have a mind to make up on her own?

Sounds like a nice little fairy tale to me.

Sheri

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA wwithin@...

Well Within's Earth Mysteries & Sacred Site Tours

Nevada City California

http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin

International Tours, Weekend Wellness Retreats, Workshops, Homestudy Courses,

Homeopathic Education, Vaccine Dangers Information/Workshops

CEU's for nurses, Books & Multi-Pure Water Filters

Coordinator for Western Nevada County Y2k Preparedness Network

[Guest guest]

By the way, there is no program for the vaccine to be given to non-military

personnel (ie: wife & Kids) that I am aware of.

Re: (no subject)

From: Sheri Nakken <snakken@...>

>

>Uh...1970? Hmmm lets see...that makes..1970-1999...29 years? And the

>vaccine is supposed to have been around for the past 30 years? (Which

>someone else mentioned earlier). And this gung-ho marine's dad gave it

>to his entire family 34 years ago? I wouldn't doubt if it was the same

>shot he gave to his animals. Facts need to be checked out with this

>story as to whether the human anthrax vaccine was available to ranchers

>of that time period even though it wasn't FDA approved. Even then it

>may have been a different vaccine as seems to be the case with the mill

>workers.

>

>

And how about bringing charges against the dad for practicing medicine

without a license.

[Guest guest]

Victor - thanks for the article - I've been following this issue... major news

will break in mid-April...

Rog

[Guest guest]

Tim - just noticed I sent the right mail to the wrong name - you're not

Victor...

Thanks,

Rog

[Guest guest]

Hi Dr Nass and others I need your summary comments re the CDC

conference.....please forward to me at DSNurse@...

Re your comments and what you picked up at the main sessions and at the

working panels.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Yes, most vaccines have a two year shelf life.

--

Meryl Nass, M.D.

Parkview Hospital, Brunswick, Maine 04011

email mnass@...

phone (207) 865-0875

fax (207) 865-6975

[Guest guest]

Subj: Tracking troops' Anthrax shots

by Maj. Terry

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas March 10, 1999) -- A special tracking system

has been established to enable not only medical officials but commanders to

track the progress of the Anthrax Vaccination Implementation Program in their

commands.

AVIP is complex. It provides each service member with six shots over

an 18-month period, followed by annual booster vaccines.

Moreover, the program is planned in phases. Phase I includes all

soldiers in high-risk units and/or changing station to these areas. Phase II

immunizes units high on the deployment timeline. Phase III will immunize the

rest of the force.

To ensure service members are being immunized in a timely fashion, the

Army has created a database known as MEDPROS, or the Medical Protection

System, within the Medical Occupational Data System. This is a centralized

medical database located on a mainframe in the Pentagon. It includes

immunization screens that can track anthrax series and create reports to track

each immunization series.

Access to MEDPROS is granted to individuals who have been designated

by the appropriate commander and who have applied for and received a log-in

identification and password.

Each level of command listed below has the ability to track the

anthrax-immunization status of assigned personnel. Tracking of soldiers can

occur hourly, daily, weekly or monthly.

Each major command, with the assistance of its surgeon, will be

responsible for monitoring assigned subordinate units on a frequency the MACOM

deems appropriate.

In- and out-processing stations for each major Army installation can

track soldiers moving from one station to another. Individual soldiers

changing stations will be screened and vaccinated (when applicable) prior to

reporting to their next units.

Unit commanders can monitor each soldier assigned to their units. This

may be done through the MEDPROS Website or the MEDPROS main database.

Battalion personnel down to the company/platoon may gain access to the

database upon approval.

The commander or designated representative applies for a log-on

identification and password to access MEDPROS using the Single Agency Manager

Pentagon Log-on ID Request Form. This form may be downloaded from the World

Wide Web at <A HREF= " http://www.mods.asmr.com. " >http://www.mods.asmr.com.</A>

The application is sent by fax (DSN 761-4983 or COMM 703-645-0432) or

by mail to the MODS support team at 3025 Hamaker Court, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA

22031.

The application is then forwarded to the Pentagon, which issues a log-

on identification and password. This information is sent to the MODS support

team, which inputs the information into the MODS system. The MODS support

team contacts the individual via telephone and issues a log-on identification

with password and grants access to MEDPROS by the U.S. Army Medical Command's

Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

Total processing time from initiation to access is about three days.

Anthrax is widely regarded as the most formidable biological-weapons

threat. Spores, which are easy to cultivate in large quantities, can be

disseminated by the wind over large geographical areas and populations,

resulting in epidemic inhalation. Once inhaled, anthrax is notorious for a

poor prognosis and has an estimated 85 to 100 percent fatality rate.

To combat this threat, the Defense Department is using a vaccine whose

safety and effectiveness has been proven. The vaccine is approved by the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration and has been used extensively for years by

farmers throughout the United States.

(Editor's note: Terry is with the Operations Division, Headquarters

U.S. Army Medical Comman

[Guest guest]

U.S. Troops Fear Anthrax Vaccine

By ROBERT BURNS

..c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Faced with a small but vocal resistance, the Pentagon is

struggling to overcome what officials call an Internet-driven proliferation of

myths and misinformation about the health risks of getting inoculated against

the deadly biological agent anthrax.

At the heart of the problem: doubts among some troops that the Defense

Department is telling all it knows about a vaccine that Defense Secretary

Cohen has ordered for all 2.4 million people in uniform.

Those doubts, whether reasonable or not, are spreading on Internet chat lines.

``Risking your health for something unproven,'' one man wrote this week on a

newspaper-sponsored chat line, ``is almost as dumb as trusting anything the

military has to say.'' Others wrote of being used as ``guinea pigs.''

Pentagon officials are fighting back with their own form of Internet

ammunition, starting with a Web site titled ``Countering the Anthrax Threat,''

featuring a photograph of Cohen with his shirt sleeve rolled up, a smile on

his face and an American flag in the background, receiving his vaccine shot.

The Pentagon's Web page also features a ``Fact vs. Myth'' section aimed at

dispelling what officials consider misconceptions about the necessity of

inoculating the troops and the health risks they face. The first fact:

``Mortality levels from a biological attack could exceed that of a nuclear

explosion.''

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.

Another myth, according to the Pentagon: ``The anthrax vaccine may cause

sterility. Fact: The vaccination has been routinely used for the past 28 years

and has not been associated with sterility. Although we cannot conduct

experiments with lethal agents on the human reproductive system (for ethical

reasons), there is ample evidence that it does not cause any harm or

sterility.''

The myth-debunking effort has not convinced some doubters. Twenty-three

sailors on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt have refused to receive

the vaccination and have been disciplined with fines, extra duty and demotions

in rank. The Roosevelt is due to leave port at Norfolk, Va., on March 26 to

begin a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.

The Pentagon says it is not counting, but apparently 100 to 200 service

members so far have refused the vaccination. This is a tiny fraction of the

approximately 220,000 people who have received it.

The resistors reportedly include about three dozen Marines and about 50 Air

Force members, in addition to the defiant sailors. Nine members of the

Connecticut Air National Guard resigned rather than take the shot.

In a phased inoculation program announced by Cohen last May, all troops

serving in the Persian Gulf and East Asia -- considered the highest-risk areas

for anthrax attack -- must get the vaccination. Starting this summer, the

shots will be given to all troops in units designated for early deployment to

either the Gulf or Korea in the event of war. And beginning in about 2003, the

rest of the military will get the shots.

Critics point to the Pentagon's checkered history of sharing facts on

radiation exposure to troops in nuclear tests in the 1950s, illnesses

attributed to the herbicide Agent Orange in the Vietnam War, and speculation

about the root causes of unexplained illnesses among thousands of Gulf War

veterans.

``The Pentagon has been misleading at best and disingenuous at worst,'' says

Mark S. Zaid, who was the lead civil defense attorney for Airman 1st Class

A. Bettendorf, who refused to receive the anthrax vaccine and was

discharged in early March under ``other than honorable conditions'' for his

defiance.

Zaid contends that Pentagon officials have understated the risk of bad

reactions to the shots and that there has been too little scientific study of

the vaccine's long-term health effects on humans.

``People are really scared,'' Zaid says, and some would rather end their

careers than have the shots.

Pentagon officials say they are concerned by the resistance, but they do not

expect it to snowball into a major rebellion.

Lt. Gen. Roadman, the Air Force surgeon general, said in an interview

that he is bothered by even the limited number of resistors. He says the

Pentagon has ``framed the problem wrong'' and should be telling troops it's

not the vaccination they should fear but the possibility of facing anthrax

without it.

Roadman has received the six-shot vaccination. ``All I can do from a

leadership standpoint is say, 'Look, I've got six holes in my arm where I did

this. I believe this is the right thing for us to do,''' he said.

O'Hanlon, a military analyst at the Brookings Institution think tank,

said the Pentagon has a credibility problem.

``If people trusted the source from which they were getting the facts, they

would accept the vaccine,'' he said.

The Pentagon's anthrax Web site address is

www.defenselink.mil/specials/Anthrax

AP-NY-03-19-99 0149EST

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/31/99 3:19:32 PM Eastern Standard Time,

lord_cernunos@... writes:

<< I'm only

going to have 16 months left on my enlistment when I report for duty in

August with definite plans to separate later next year. >>

Ask them if you can be exempt from the shot since you have less than 18 months

left on your enlistment (not enough time to get the entire series of

vaccines). Tell them you plan on separating from the service at the end of

your enlistment and since you can't received all of the shots it won't really

help you. Hopefully that would work. You might also want to try and get your

orders changed (don't know how hard that is in the AF).

Sunny

[Guest guest]

I find it interesting that in some parts of the air force - if you are

within 18 months of separation, you don't take the anthrax shot or evenget

started .... i find it equally interesting that if you refuse, you get a

" less than honorable " discharge after 6-8 weeks of medical, legal and

command directed harrassment, but if you volunteer that you are " gay " , you

are discharged within two weeks with a fully " honorable " discharge. [ this

is not intended as a slam at anyone, but is the current conversation running

around the air force reserve " ---

signed ---- " maddog "

(no subject)

>From: " Lord Cernunos " <lord_cernunos@...>

>

>

> Sorry for the alias on my mail account, I don't want my real

>name given for obvious reasons. I am an active duty Air Force Staff

>Sergeant currently stationed overseas. I'm being assigned to a Combat

>Communications unit with many deployments later this year. I'm only

>going to have 16 months left on my enlistment when I report for duty in

>August with definite plans to separate later next year. I'm sure I'm

>going to go through the threats and all when I refuse to get vaccinated

>for anthrax.

> Any thoughts on how to get around getting the vaccine and still

>leave with an Honorable Discharge? I'm sure that this has been addressed

>before, but I'm a new member to this list and am pretty desperate.

>

>Thanks!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/31/99 11:09:25 PM Eastern Standard Time,

GBOZARTH@... writes:

<< As near as I can figure, this may be a test to see who will stick around

and

those that do will be more likely to submit to this nonsense. Gerry WA ANG

>>

Gerry,

I sense that you're a darn good American. Stick with it, and the service of

your nation. Through a consensus of concern, we'll turn this flawed force

protection measure around and get the real force protection for our troops

back on track. Do not quit.

Your friend,

Tom/ " Buzz "

[Guest guest]

You are almost a mirror image in your unit to ours here. The AF thinks that

there is a retention problem now - just wait until there are call ups and/or

anthrax shots thrown in ... most all the guys and gals that are left now are

planning to bail out...jr

Re: (no subject)

From: GBOZARTH@...

Jon,

I am with a Air Guard unit in Washington State. My unit does not have

to submit to the series yet. Although, about 10 of our people have

started the series because they are on a special team (that they

volunteered for) and are required to get the vaccination. I have

personnally spoke with many who haven't yet and they are going to

bail from the team when that time comes.

I haven't heard what anyone would be willing to do to get out. Except

it is widely known that in our unit, that if you want out right now

all you have to do is ask. I think the Seattle area has far too many

good paying jobs right now for the Guard to be too attractive. They

are really putting the heat on us regarding other matters. As near as

I can figure, this may be a test to see who will stick around and

those that do will be more likely to submit to this nonsense.

Gerry WA ANG

[Guest guest]

It is my belief that in the guard, all you have to do is vote with your feet

.... as Gen Ron Fogelman said, if you can't stand up and salute in the

morning any more, it is time to bail before the fecal matter hits the fan

..... jr

Re: (no subject)

From: GBOZARTH@...

Dear Lord,

I don't know if you can guarantee a Honorable discharge. But, let me

tell you, any discharge will allow you to live a normal life! Even a

dishonorable one doesn't mean a thing as long as you have your health

20 years from now. You make the call.

Gerry WA ANG

[Guest guest]

When the uniform comes off, the vaccine still remains. Think about it.

Tim

Jon wrote:

> From: " Jon " <jrivera@...>

>

> It is my belief that in the guard, all you have to do is vote with your feet

> ... as Gen Ron Fogelman said, if you can't stand up and salute in the

> morning any more, it is time to bail before the fecal matter hits the fan

> .... jr

> Re: (no subject)

>

> From: GBOZARTH@...

>

> Dear Lord,

> I don't know if you can guarantee a Honorable discharge. But, let me

> tell you, any discharge will allow you to live a normal life! Even a

> dishonorable one doesn't mean a thing as long as you have your health

> 20 years from now. You make the call.

> Gerry WA ANG

[Guest guest]

When the uniform comes off, the vaccine still remains. Think about it.

Tim

Jon wrote:

> From: " Jon " <jrivera@...>

>

> It is my belief that in the guard, all you have to do is vote with your feet

> ... as Gen Ron Fogelman said, if you can't stand up and salute in the

> morning any more, it is time to bail before the fecal matter hits the fan

> .... jr

> Re: (no subject)

>

> From: GBOZARTH@...

>

> Dear Lord,

> I don't know if you can guarantee a Honorable discharge. But, let me

> tell you, any discharge will allow you to live a normal life! Even a

> dishonorable one doesn't mean a thing as long as you have your health

> 20 years from now. You make the call.

> Gerry WA ANG

[Guest guest]

Jon,

I am with a Air Guard unit in Washington State. My unit does not have

to submit to the series yet. Although, about 10 of our people have

started the series because they are on a special team (that they

volunteered for) and are required to get the vaccination. I have

personnally spoke with many who haven't yet and they are going to

bail from the team when that time comes.

I haven't heard what anyone would be willing to do to get out. Except

it is widely known that in our unit, that if you want out right now

all you have to do is ask. I think the Seattle area has far too many

good paying jobs right now for the Guard to be too attractive. They

are really putting the heat on us regarding other matters. As near as

I can figure, this may be a test to see who will stick around and

those that do will be more likely to submit to this nonsense.

Gerry WA ANG

[Guest guest]

Dear Lord,

I don't know if you can guarantee a Honorable discharge. But, let me

tell you, any discharge will allow you to live a normal life! Even a

dishonorable one doesn't mean a thing as long as you have your health

20 years from now. You make the call.

Gerry WA ANG

[Guest guest]

Dear Tom,

I don't intend to quit. I sure hope that I'm not forced to. I think

you know my feelings if I am forced. I will probably become the one

of the biggest thorns in their side. I hope we can turn it around

before that happens but, I have had to fight for many other things I

believed in too. Just part of being American and a human being. I

think it is all of our responsibilities to stand up and be counted

even when it is unpopular.

Thanks Tom,

Gerry, WA ANG

[Guest guest]

I got blisters on my top lip two weeks after receiving the vaccination. I

would also be very interested in seeing what you come up with in your paper

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike, doesn't seem like you are getting any answers from the crowd, so I

thought I would tell you I had those very same questions last fall. I called

the FDA, the CDC, the state's chief medical officer and they all said the same

thing. the vaccine is licensed as printed, i.e. six shot series. the FDA has

nothing to do with what goes on the vaccine insert, they merely

approve/disapprove it's contents (I don't think they ever disapprove). the

manufacturer is the author of the vaccine insert and it is characteristically

written to mirror the study protocol that was followed. once the drug (in this

case, vaccine) is approved, it is no longer " controlled " by the FDA. the

approved drug makes its way to the marketplace and now comes under the " practice

of medicine " guidelines. this " practice " is incredibly grey area stuff,

provides vast amount of protections for physicians. bottom line is, it is

licensed as a six shot series, how the doctor " practices " his/her medicine is

their business. I also asked the state medical officer if it would be

considered malpractice to knowingly alter/not comply with vaccine insert

instructions. again, the " practice " of medicine was mentioned. it was a

frustrating education. wish I could " practice " the art of flying fighters and

commercial aircraft. I suggest you phone and ask these organizations and your

own state medical officer to get the real skinny on this. p.s. even medical

professionals against the anthrax vaccine would not definitively rule out this

as the " practice " of medicine. good luck!! Russ d.

----------

From: Shepard[sMTP:mblshepard@...]

Sent: Sunday, May 16, 1999 8:07 PM

onelist

Subject: (no subject)

From: Shepard <mblshepard@...>

This question is probably best answered by those in the health care or legal

field but anyone here may know the answer.

When the FDA approves/licenses (whatever the proper terminology) a product

like the anthrax vaccine what are the ramifications, if any, of not taking

the product according to the way it was approved? Is it a serious issue to

knowingly not take a product according to the way it ws approved?

Specifically, apart from whether or not the service person wants to take

theanthrax vaccine, are there legal ramifications or other issues involved

if the person knows they will not be able to take all 6 shots (as it was

licensed in my understanding) but submits to some or part of the shots? I

am not asking UCMJ question but what, if any, rules or guidance are there in

the health care field on issues that parallel this one.....would a doctor

give a parallel treatment if she/he knew the patient would not complete the

whole treatment or whatever it might be. In this case, for those who are

ETSing (leaving the service at end of contract) in less than the required 18

months would not be taking the series at it was licensed.

Please fill in the gaps in what I have asked. I ask it from ignorance of

the health field and the common practices there if there are indeed any.

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I have been in contact several times with my Congressman asking him to write to

Cohen about the AVIP. Initially, he was ignorant about the AVIP issue and

thought

that it was ok after discussing it with Univ. of Pittsburgh doctors back in the

state. However, after I wrote to him several times and met with him after the

hearing on April 29 I convinced him that it was a much different issue. He

wrote

to Cohen last Friday. I have copied the letters I wrote to my Congressman as

well

as the letter he sent to Cohen. Though his staff did not get all the facts

straight, the letter is still fairly strong. We must continue to get more

Members

of Congress to go public with their misgivings about the program. The DOD is

scared of Congress because it holds their money and that is the one thing the

DOD

understands: money. Please use any portion of the letters to write your

Congressman. I am awaitng the actual hard copy of these letters which I should

get in the next couple of days...so as it stands, according to my Congressman's

staff, the letter to Cohen went Friday.

Hon.

115 West Spring Street

Titusville, PA 16354

April 15, 1999

Dear Representative :

My family and I are residents of Potter County and the Fifth Congressional

District of Pennsylvania that you represent. I am currently finishing a four

year

enlistment as a military intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. I am proud of

my

service and deeply respect the military and the great freedom I defend everyday.

However, I am writing to ask for your immediate attention to a serious issue

that

affects virtually every citizen in your district because every citizen in the

5th

Congressional District has a son, daughter, grandson, niece, spouse, or a family

friend that is serving in the U.S. military. Specifically, I am writing to

respectfully request that you write a letter to the Honorable Cohen,

Secretary of Defense, requesting that he immediately suspend the Anthrax Vaccine

Immunization Program (AVIP) until, at minimum the Subcommittee on National

Security, Veteran Affairs and International Relations of the House Government

Reform Committee concludes its investigation and issues its findings and the GAO

report requested by our Senator, Arlen Specter, Chairman of the Senate Veteran

Affairs Committee, is issued. In addition, I believe it would be appropriate

for

you to follow the letter with a press conference outlining your proposal so that

the citizens of our district will once again know that you are fighting for our

interests. In our volunteer force the overwhelming majority of our military is

from the middle and lower classes of our society. In essence, our rural 5th

District is composed primarily of this socio-economic class and is

disproportionately represented in the military compared to more affluent parts

of

the country.

I have contacted your staff scheduler in Titusville several times in the past

two

weeks requesting to meet you in the District or in your Washington office at a

date convenient for you in the next six weeks to discuss this issue. In the

course of the conversations, she gave me the message from you requesting that I

fax you medical information on this issue so you could have doctors at the

University of Pittsburgh that you trust review the information. This is more

than

a medical issue. I have enclosed a large packet of information for your review

that reflects both sides of the issue and references sources for more

information

The following is a chronological skeleton of the issue. All dates and

references

in this section are documented in the enclosed information and are noted in

parentheses with the document number.

December 1997: Secretary Cohen announces AVIP for active duty.(2)

May 1998: Secretary Cohen announces AVIP for “total force.”(2)

Early June 1998: Admiral Crowe’s interest in Bioport, sole producer of the

vaccine, announced.(10,26)

November 1998: As policy is implemented refusals begin to escalate. Punishment

is

inconsistent and seemingly “heavy-handed.”

(1,3,4,5,7,8,11,13,14,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,)

1999: 1. DOD starts public affairs campaign including website, brochures, and

briefings to government officials(1,2,15,29)

2. Policy is not consistent on action for AVIP refusals in service; no

consistent

policy regarding whether service member must take the shots if they have less

than

18 months in service and will not be able to take full battery of shots. (1,2)

March 24, 1999: House Committee On Government Reform begins hearings on issue.

(See Subcommittee Chairman’s opening statement for objectives of the process.

In

addition, procure the C-Span video for the revealing question/answer portion

since

written transcript will not be available for 3 months or should be online at

www.c-span.org/watch/otherevents.htm)(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,28)

March 29, 1999: GAO report issued on possibility of link between squalene, the

anthrax vaccine, and Gulf War Syndrome. (33,34,35,36)

April 1999: Army changes its brochures for soldiers acknowledging that few

veterinarians have taken the shot. (29,30)

April 1999: Vanity Fair publishes investigative article by former NBC Gulf War

reporter on Gulf War Syndrome and anthrax vaccine.(37)

April 10, 1999: Marines given outdated vaccine. (32)

April 29, 1999: House Government Reform Subcommittee will hold next hearing on

issue with testimony from FDA, GAO, and medical professionals. (Call Lawerence

Halloran, Staff Counsel, at 202-225-2548 for more information)

Other Enclosures: Medical testimony (9)

Internet conversation between officer and journalist (25)

Veterans for Integrity in Government posting on issue (12)

Pilot who refused shots outlines reasoning (27)

Parents of Marine who is refusing shots share their concerns from Utica, NY,

newspaper (31)

Websites

www.dallasnw.quik.com/cyberella/index.htm

www.bact.wisc.edu/bact330/lectureanthrax

www.defenselink.mil/specials/anthrax

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/anthrax.htm

www.gulflink.osd.mil

This issue will affect me personally in the near future. My unit will be lined

up

on June 7th, 21st, and July 5th and forced to take the first three vaccinations.

I do not want to risk my personal health for this program that is extremely

suspect, at best, in light of the current information available. There are

legitimate concerns, as outlined in Mr. Shays’ statement, about the long-term

safety of the vaccine, the manufacturing processes, and the DOD’s past record on

medical matters. In addition to these concerns, I am concerned about the recent

findings in the GAO report and the Vanity Fair article. In fact, even as I

write

the National Institute of Health has started investigating Department of Veteran

Affairs hospitals for experimentation on patients (the article is enclosed

(38)).

This vaccine is administered in six shots over 18 months. When I am forced to

choose whether to take the shots in June I will have only 10 months left in the

Army. Even if I suspend critical analysis of the situation and blindly trust

the

DOD and take the shots, I will have no recourse if it does cause my family or I

future health problems. This is because of the legal precedent of the early

1950’s commonly referred to as the Feres doctrine. The doctrine has held that

the

government is not liable for the effects of military service. Lawsuits stemming

from birth defects in children of Gulf War veterans have been dismissed based on

the Feres doctrine in the past two years. The most I could hope for if I take

the

shots and suffer future health problems is treatment from the Department of

Veteran’s Affairs if my income is low enough. Therefore, in light of the

current

information I feel compelled to not comply with the AVIP.

The consequences of not complying, if I do not comply, will likely be demotion,

fines, and threats of a discharge that is other than honorable. I do not want

to

face these consequences. However, I will do it if I am forced to do so. I will

do it not only for me but also for my fellow service members. The majority of

service personnel in my unit and, if surveyed, the entire military, do not want

to

take this vaccine. The majority of a volunteer force is from the lower portions

of our society in terms of affluence. This means that the majority of service

personnel cannot take the financial hardship of fines. In addition, a discharge

that is not honorable will take away that soldier’s GI Bill which is why many

young Americans of modest means join the military service: the promise of access

to education to build a brighter tomorrow for themselves and their families. In

my opinion, with so many questions outstanding, it is wrong, even immoral, to

force service personnel into choosing between these alternatives. In conclusion

on this point, I want to clarify that I am not asking you to initiate a

Congressional inquiry with my unit at this point in time.

At least one Republican colleague of yours in the House has endorsed the policy

and communicated in his actions the message that “the DOD says it is safe,

therefore it is safe.”(39) Did the DOD tell the truth about Agent Orange,

radiation testing, or the current Gulf War Syndrome? Your party claimed that

Mr.

Clinton’s pattern of lies and deceit eroded the public trust. The DOD has the

same pattern. The Republican majority in Congress has consistently failed to

challenge this administration since the Clinton public relations victory over

the

government shutdown/budget battle. The exception was the failed attempt at this

Administration’s jugular in the impeachment proceedings. This AVIP issue is not

exclusive of other Clinton policies. The policies may have some level of good

intent but are poorly researched and demonstrate little strategy or clear

objectives. After executing the policies, the Administration appeals to the

U.S.

citizens and Congress with the argument that we “must finish it because we

started

it.” This is poor logic that can have severe consequences.

Therefore, I respectfully challenge you to courageously take a principled stand.

Write to Secretary of Defense Cohen requesting that he immediately

suspend

the AVIP until, at minimum, the Congressional investigations have concluded and

issued their findings. In addition, publicly call for this same action

following

your letter. At the least, your efforts will symbolize your willingness to

defend

your constituents when they are at risk.

Please respond to my proposal in writing at your earliest convenience. I would

appreciate your response so that we may discuss it and any other alternatives

when

we meet in the next several weeks. I look forward to hearing from Patty Alberth

regarding a convenient meeting time and your written response. I appreciate

your

time and consideration.

Sincerely,

B. Shepard

Please mail your response to my mailing address where I am stationed instead of

my

permanent address in Pennsylvania:

Cc: Hon. ’s Washington, DC, office

B. Shepard

Hon.

115 West Spring Street

Titusville, PA 16354

April 26, 1999

Dear Congressman :

I am writing to formally invite you to attend the next hearing of the House

Committee on Government Reform regarding the Department of Defense’s mandatory

Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP) which will be held in 2247 Rayburn

HOB

on April 29, 1999, at 10 a.m. I, as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, will be

testifying regarding the impact of this program on enlisted members of the

military. I am not sure how many of your constituents have the opportunity to

testify before Congress. My initial belief is that few citizens from our

predominantly rural district have this opportunity. Therefore, I am insuring

that

you are notified which gives you the ability to consider attending the hearing

and

watch one of your own constituents from the 5th District testify about an issue

that affects every citizen in our District. C-Span will provide coverage and

rerun the broadcast several times. It can also be viewed on-line at

www.c-span.org/watch/otherevents.htm under April 29 hearing.

On Friday, April 23, 1999, I spoke with your staff in Titusville to confirm that

you received the information I sent you on the AVIP and to inquire about the

meeting I have requested with you several times since my initial call to your

office on April 5, 1999. I also informed your staff that I will be testifying

before Congress next week regarding the AVIP and would be delighted if you were

able to attend and watch one of your constituents testify. Patty Alberth

confirmed that you received the information in your Titusville office and your

Washington, DC, office. In addition, she said that you want to speak with Dr.

at the University of Pittsburgh. Finally, she noted that you have still

not responded to her first memo regarding my request to meet with you and that

she

would be submitting another memo for you review.

As I stated in my initial letter of April 15, 1999, your support of military

members from our district is urgently needed. Congressman Shays

(R-Conn) would be happy to outline the serious questions regarding the AVIP that

are facing military personnel and their families today or contact the Committee

Chief Counsel, Larry Halloran, at (202)-225-2548. Thank you in advance for your

consideration and your willingness to meet with my family and I regarding this

issue. I look forward to your response (contact information for my home and

mailing address is below).

Sincerely,

B. Shepard

Please mail your response to my mailing address where I am stationed instead of

my

permanent address in Pennsylvania:

Cc: Hon. ’s Washington, DC, office

Centre Daily Times

Olean Times-Herald, Bradford office

The Derrick

Clarion News

Lock Haven Express

Bradford Era

Warren Times-Observer

Potter Leader-Enterprise

Elmira Star-Gazette, Wellsboro office

Westfield Free-Press Courier

Dubois Courier-Express

Sun-Gazette

The Daily Item

Daily Collegian

Voices of Central PA

The following letters were e-maild to me by his staff and mailed Friday to Cohen

and I:

Dear :

Thank you for your ongoing contact with my district office in

Titusville, as well as my Washington office, regarding your concerns with

taking the anthrax vaccine as mandated by the Department of Defense's (DoD)

Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP).

It was a pleasure talking with you a few weeks back, and I regret

the brevity of our conversation. However, after meeting with you in person,

I certainly realize the genuineness and imminence of your concern over this

matter, as you are instructed by the military to begin your series of

vaccination shots on June 7th.

After looking over the material you provided my staff which

highlights your legitimate anxieties surrounding the vaccine, including its

long term safety and the soundness of its manufacturing process, my concern

has grown as to the appropriateness of DoD's handling of this matter.

Further giving credence to your refusal to accept administration of the

vaccine is DoD's and the FDA's reluctance to clearly answer your concerns as

posed by Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veteran's

Affairs, and International Relations Chairman Shays, and other

subcommittee members, at several hearings on the vaccine's safety. You

witnessed this evasiveness first hand at your testimony before the

Subcommittee on April 29.

My worries -- heightened by your diligent efforts -- were outlined

in my letter to Defense Secretary Cohen. I also urged the

Secretary's consideration of administering AVIP on a voluntary basis, or

halting AVIP altogether, until Congressional hearings have concluded and

rendered their findings. I have attached a copy of this correspondence for

your records.

As the Subcommittee's investigation moves forward, I certainly

encourage you to keep me abreast of any developing concerns you may have.

Again, I thank you for affording me this opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely,

E.

Member of Congress

Dear Secretary Cohen:

As I am certain you are aware, there exists a growing concern among

our armed services personnel as to the appropriateness of the Department of

Defense's Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP). These concerns are

mirrored by many Members of Congress, of which I am one.

Specifically, anxieties arise over the anthrax vaccine's long term

safety as it relates to possible use of yet-to-be approved adjuvant

formulations, and the soundness of its manufacturing process as it relates

to numerous unflattering Food and Drug Administration inspections of the

Michigan-based manufacturer of the vaccine. Giving further credence to

service personnel's skepticism with AVIP is DoD's and the FDA's reluctance

to clearly answer these concerns as posed by Government Reform Subcommittee

on National Security, Veteran's Affairs, and International Relations

Chairman Shays, and other subcommittee members, at several

hearings on the vaccine's safety.

Sergeant B. Shepard, a constituent, was among those

testifying at an April 29 hearing before the subcommittee. My rural

congressional district is home to many armed service personnel who rely on

G.I. Bills and other financial aid generated by their service, and lack the

economic resources required to endure a dishonorable discharge or loss of

benefits resulting from their noncompliance with AVIP. Many feel they must

choose between their immediate economic livelihood and their future quality

of life, which -- as subcommittee witnesses have testified -- could be

negatively impacted by AVIP compliance.

In light of the questions raised by these young service men and

women, by congressional hearings, and by the recent General Accounting

Office report which found possible linkage of veterans' illnesses to vaccine

administration, I respectfully request your consideration of administering

AVIP on a voluntary basis -- or perhaps halting AVIP altogether until

congressional have ultimately been addressed.

We owe, at least, this modest assurance to the brave men and women

who serve our nation everyday. Not doing so may wrongfully obligate them to

accept into their bodies a health-deteriorating agent with inadequately

proven safety and effectiveness.

Thank you for your time and consideration over this matter. I

eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,

JOHN PETERSON

Member of Congress