More than 1,200 who had anthrax vaccine now sick

[mom cat]

More than 1,200 who had anthrax vaccine now sick
By Jeff Donaldson
LAS VEGAS SUN

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-other/2005/jun/16/518914554.html

More than 1,200 military personnel who received the anthrax vaccine before going to Iraq have developed serious illnesses, according to an Army report released last month, though local military officials contend the shots still are safe and necessary.

Since 1991 and the first Gulf War, the Defense Department has required service members to be immunized against such childhood diseases as Typhoid and Hepatitis A as well as against biological agents such as anthrax, when deploying to Korea or the Middle East.

But with Army officials reporting 1,200 illnesses and several thousand more queries about potential side effects, the Defense Department has started allowing troops deploying overseas to opt out of receiving the anthrax vaccine without penalty, according to the Army and Air Force.

Maj. Brian Blalock, public health flight commander at Nellis Air Force Base, said the anthrax shot is no longer mandatory for service members who are willing to sign a waiver releasing the military from liability. Still, the majority of service members elect to have the shot, he said.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Wasn't this in the news a while back? This vaccine was known to have

some bad side effects right form the get-go.

Just another example of how much this adminstration takes such good care of the our troops. Wonder which Bush crony made $ from those vaccines?

[jedr]

2. Good luck on vet benefits to pay the bills!