Vaccine First of Many Force Health Protection Measures [Lucky us!]

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Vaccine First of Many Force Health Protection Measures

By J. Gillert, American Forces Press Service

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Mandatory anthrax vaccinations are just the

beginning of medical countermeasures DoD has planned to protect

deployed service members, a senior health official said here

Nov. 2.

" The anthrax vaccination is the first in a long series of force

protection measures to come, " Gerwin, deputy assistant

secretary of defense for health affairs, told TRICARE

communications, customer service and education representatives

attending a conference. While she didn't elaborate on future

measures, the Pentagon sponsors a number of research projects,

including one looking at smallpox as a potential threat to troop

health.

Noting that at least 10 nations currently have the ability to

use anthrax as a weapon, Gerwin said, " The anthrax threat is

real. A high priority of the department is to make sure we have

effective countermeasures in place. "

Gerwin rejected concerns of some that the shots are unsafe.

" We have a safe and effective vaccine that we have administered

to more than one million, " she said. " The adverse reaction rate

is lower than for common childhood vaccinations. "

[[ MORE THAN ONE MILLION??]]

Defense Secretary S. Cohen announced the total force

vaccination plans in December 1997. Vaccinations were

accelerated in March 1998 for troops assigned or deploying to

Southwest Asia and, subsequently, to Korea. After a three-year

study, Cohen concluded that the vaccination is the safest way to

protect highly mobile U.S. military forces against a potential

threat that is 99 percent lethal to unprotected individuals.

The immunization program consists of a series of six

inoculations per service member over an 18-month period,

followed by an annual booster. Although protection levels

increase as shots in the series are given, the entire six-shot

series is required for full protection, as determined by the

FDA. The cost to immunize an estimated 2.4 million military

people is approximately $130 million.

[[NOTE HOW THEY'RE TRYING TO SAY THAT FEWER THAN SIX SHOTS

OFFERS " SOME PROTECTION " . NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS WITHOUT _ANY_

EVIDENCE IN HUMANS.]]

" A small number are refusing to take the shots, largely because

of misinformation on the Internet, " Gerwin said. Most of the

resistance to the shots has come from Guard and Reserve members,

although some active duty members also have resisted Cohen's

order.

[[AMAZING HOW THE INTERNET CAN ELICIT THIS TYPE OF RESPONSE FROM

THE BIG, BAD DOD]]

Service members who refuse the shots first go through education

and counseling to ensure they know all the facts and are making

an informed decision. If they still refuse, the commander can

then impose nonjudicial punishment, separation from the service

or court-martial.

Responding to concerns of some service members and their

families, the Army's Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program office

established a committee to look closer at the vaccine. The

office comes under the Army surgeon general, executive agent for

the DoD anthrax immunization program. The group will define

research needs and set up studies to answer questions raised

about the vaccine.

[[i WONDER IF THE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY]]

More information about the DoD anthrax immunization program is

available on the Internet at www.anthrax.osd.mil/.