Hawaii anthrax program on hold

[Guest guest]

As you read this article, it will become very evident that Maj. needs to

run down to the clinic and get a prescription of " Truth Pills " . His reaction to

the shots must have created an illusion of a perfect world, one of which does

not exist when it comes to the anthrax vaccine. I bet if we watch real close,

Maj will be Lt. Col. real soon, not for his ability to lead, but

for being such a handy mouthpiece for his superiors. As far as not one person

standing up and refusing the vaccine, it certainly sounds like SRA Dover refused

the shot by not reenlisting, or is this another twist of words such as general

weavers new definition of refuse.

Bill

Honolulu Advertiser

July 1, 2001

Hawai'i's Anthrax Program On Hold

By Cole, Advertiser Military Affairs Writer

A Department of Defense decision to scale back its controversial anthrax

vaccinations again has left some Hawai'i service members part-way through the

six-shot series and has cast further doubt over the program's future.

At one point, the vaccinations were compulsory for all service members. However,

the defense department, faced with inadequate supplies of the vaccine, decided

last month that the immunizations will continue only for special mission units

and research. The sole supplier, BioPort of Lansing Mich., will not provide

additional supplies before 2002.

Only about 24,000 doses remain. The vaccines were scaled back last July to

troops deploying to areas around Iraq and North Korea. Then, in November,

vaccinations for troops headed to Korea were eliminated.

The military says it has enough antibiotics on hand to treat troops if they are

attacked with anthrax weapons.

According to Tripler Army Medical Center, if only one shot was received and more

than a year passes, the entire series must be restarted. If two or more shots

were received, the regimen can continue where it left off.

In Hawai'i, reaction to the policy change has been muted, though greater

opposition to the program has developed elsewhere.

More than 450 military personnel worldwide have refused to take the shots

because of concern over possible side effects. A class-action lawsuit also is

challenging the legality of the program.

Although the military says it continues to believe the vaccine is safe, the

latest cutback casts further doubt on the program.

But Hawai'i Air National Guard spokesman Maj. Chuck said the resistance

seen elsewhere hasn't materialized here, and the further reduction has been

greeted with little fanfare.

" It doesn't make that much of a difference to most of our folks, " said.

" Virtually nobody is talking about it. "

Of 2,500 Hawai'i Air National Guard personnel, about 800 received one or more of

the series of shots given over 18 months. Anthrax vaccinations were made

mandatory for 2.4 million military personnel in 1998.

" We've not had a person stand up, refuse to take the shot, and say hasta la

vista, " said. " We have had a couple of people sitting on the fence

before. But given the straight scoop from our medical personnel, they've elected

to take the shot. "

The National Guard has deployed about 290 volunteers since November to monitor

the southern no-fly zone in Iraq, and garnered twice as many volunteers as

needed, said. Those individuals knew they would have to take the shots.

If there is an inference to be made, said, it's that " people in the Air

National Guard have gotten the facts, and the facts are, it's a safe vaccine. "

There have been two medically certified reactions to the vaccine among Air Guard

personnel. Both were rashes that resulted in the series of shots being stopped.

said the reaction rate is lower than the 1.5 percent reaction rate to

other vaccines.

However, Guard Lt. Col. Kimo Hussey reported a serious allergic reaction to the

shots after retiring last year, as did Dave Dover, a senior airman who decided

not to re-enlist after his second shot. Hussey said he suffered abdominal pain,

while Dover said he experienced nerve damage in both arms. The Guard disputed

the claims.

Service members who refuse to take the anthrax vaccinations are subject to

disciplinary proceedings.

At Tripler Army Medical Center, a female staff sergeant who refused the

immunization in the summer of 1999 was discharged, officials said.

More than 600 Tripler Army soldiers who have backup duties with the 18th Medical

Command in South Korea, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, medics and

logistical support personnel, are among those who have received the

immunizations.

The most recent statistics on objections to the immunization program among

Hawai'i active service members were unavailable from the Department of Defense,

but as of early last year, 17 had refused to take the vaccine and five had been

discharged.

More than 60 service members worldwide reportedly have faced charges, but

statistics are incomplete. According to the defense department, there were no

Army courts-martial in 1999 or 2000 from refusals to take the vaccine. There was

one Air Force discharge in 1999 and one last year. No statistics were available

for the Navy. Three Marines were discharged since 1998 based on vaccination

refusals, the defense department said.

" Very few people have refused to take the shot, " said Lt. Cmdr. Flex Plexico, a

Navy Pacific fleet spokesman.

Two Air Force officers who refused to take the anthrax vaccine filed a lawsuit

in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C., claiming it is an experimental drug

and requires a soldier's consent before it is administered.

Maj. Sonnie Bates of Delaware was forced to end a 14-year career last year for

refusing to take the vaccine, while Capt. Buck, an Air Force physician in

Mississippi, was convicted in a court-martial in May of disobeying an order for

not taking the drug. He was fined $1,500 a month for 14 months.

In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it would begin a

seven-month study of the vaccine.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/3/01 1:15:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

bcolley@... writes:

<< Three Marines were discharged since 1998 based on vaccination refusals,

the defense department said.>>

Where do they get their statistics?! My son refused the anthrax vaccine in

December 1998 with 21 other Marines. He was punished but was not discharged.

He just finished his contract with the USMC's on June 28 and received an

honorable discharge. I am so glad he is a civilian again and has freedom of

choice.