US Military to resume anthrax inoculations

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waterdog

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon said Monday it will once again begin requiring anthrax vaccinations for troops heading into dangerous regions, reinstating a program that has been challenged repeatedly over possible health risks.

Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said the vaccinations will begin in 30 to 60 days, and will involve troops and civilian Defense Department personnel who are serving in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Korean Peninsula.

"This is a safe and effective vaccine," Winkenwerder said in a conference call with reporters, adding that the threat of an anthrax attack is "very real and it has not gone away."

Opponents of the program promised an immediate challenge. Mark S. Zaid, one of the lawyers who previously sued to stop the mandatory program, said he will file a new lawsuit "as soon as needles start going into arms." Other groups who have opposed the program also condemned the new requirements.

The drug has been at the center of a multiyear lawsuit that began when six members of the military challenged the Pentagon's mandatory vaccination program against anthrax for some military troops. But last December the Food and Drug Administration affirmed an earlier finding that the anthrax vaccine being given to members of the U.S. military is safe and effective.

Since 1998, at least 1.2 million troops have been vaccinated against anthrax in six-shot regimens. Hundreds of service members had been punished or discharged for refusing them until U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan in December 2004 suspended the vaccinations after he found fault in the FDA's process for approving the drug. Several months later Sullivan said the Pentagon can resume giving vaccinations, but only to troops who volunteer for them.

The FDA's finding late last year was the result a court-ordered review of the drug. The Bush administration has pushed to reinstate mandatory inoculations for many military personnel.

How do you feel about this action by gov?




I had a similiar thread in General discussion , but was closed hopefully this one will stay




waterdog
 
I did a bit of research on this a while back. My numbers say 30,000 people took the vaccine since 1970 - the military says 60,000 (1970-2000). Regardless, that's no more than 2,000 people per year, with no long-term testing! That's right, the FDA did not require long-term testing for vaccines until 1972.

Then there's the matter of the delivery system: the vaccine is effective against cutaneous anthrax, no question. If a terrorist runs up to you, slashes you with the edge of a sheet of paper, rubs anthrax spores on the cut, then runs away, you're golden if you'd had the vaccine.
If you inhale anthrax? The vaccine is zero percent effective against inhaled anthrax. Ask the mil docs. Then consider which delivery method chemical/bio weapons are deployed with: aerosol.

Then recall that this vastly important vaccine, this critical piece of force protection, is being produced by one factory, and that one factory has been in violation of (roughly) a dozen blatant health code violations, including improper mixing, improperly re-labeling expired vaccines, and has been actually closed down by health inspectors a few times. The military reacted by increasing the price paid per vaccine multiple times.

What does all this suggest? Well, since I highly doubt there's anything experimental in the vaccine (it's supposed to be the same type they give certain veterinarians), then it's quite likely that someone's uncle's cousin's nephew is making a killing selling this crap to the military and FORCING it on the men and women who voluntarily serve our country!

I am disgusted.

While not clearly on-topic for the RKBA, it certainly violates the military members' civil rights, or at the very least, the trust they've placed in the very gov't they defend.
 
I am disgusted.

While not clearly on-topic for the RKBA, it certainly violates the military members' civil rights, or at the very least, the trust they've placed in the very gov't they defend.

Hey I took that vaccine:what: cough..cough....arrrgggg....:p
 
If you think there is politics involved, you ought to be able to figure out who is lobbying for the company right?
 
I say that the anthrax vaccination is the MOST painful shot I've ever gotten. It hurts for a good hour after you get it.

Other than that, I haven't had any problems.

Whether or not the shot is needed, I don't know.
 
Are they giving out the old anthrax innoculation or are they using the 2 new products developed for this purpose?

We had the basic shot for 50 years with all its issues and now there are 2 far better products out there for this job with fewer/none of the risks and hassles (depending onthe product).
 
I refused it mostly because of an idiot trying to scare me into getting it by talking about "bleeding out of every orifice" if you don't, blah, blah, blah. I was undecided before, but silly, exaggerated fear-mongering pisses me off. :rolleyes:

I know what the risks are, know about cutaneaous and that it is rarely lethal and that it is the aerosol method that will get ya. You have to inhale a large number of spores though. I'm just not worried...especially if the vaccine doesn't protect against the most lethal and likely delivery to be used against me. I'm not a postal worker, I don't get/open unknown letters.

I'm waiting for an IED vaccine, there's something that is actually a realistic threat to me. I'll be 1st in line for that one!:D
 
To refresh your memory... BioPort is the mysterious little company in Lansing, MI that, despite repeatedly failing FDA inspections and being formally accused of fudging records, holds the ONLY federal contract for producing and distributing anthrax vaccine. The CEO of BioPort is Bin Laden family friend Fuad El-Hibri, while other key players are former UK prime minister John Major, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff William Crowe, Jr. (who has been implicated in the sale of anthrax pathogens to Saddam Hussein in the 1980s).


waterdog
 
Eh, I didn't have any serious problems. But I did have Strange allergic reactions throughout the course, and up to six months after the last injection. There are pictures at the New River aid station of my eyes swollen shut, and my lips swollen like I got a shot of collagen. Add to that the hives over my entire body, fun times. In fact those pictures where taken the first time my then girlfriend, now wife came to visit me. Good times indeed.
 
On the one hand, it seems unlikely that the DoD would deliberately inflict needless discomfort on military personnel for no particular reason. My guess is that the reason has more to do with bureaucratic inertia than anything else. Once the powers that be decide on a course of action, it does not really matter how unnecessary or counterproductive it might be, they will move forward. They hate to admit they are just wrong about something.

I am a little disturbed that the only company that makes this vaccine has close ties to the religion that has sworn to kill or subjugate us all. It seems like an almost perfect way to infect our entire military, which is the only thing holding the barbarians at bay.
 
"On the one hand, it seems unlikely that the DoD would deliberately inflict needless discomfort on military personnel for no particular reason."

You ever serve in the US Miltary? You ever wonder how new medics get trained up on giving shots and starting IVs? LOL

I took my shots when I went to Korea. I don't remember anything too serious but I did get alittle sick right before I left. With the "cocktail" of stuff they pumped into me, I was not surprised.
 
waterdog, can you cite sources on that?

I could have sworn 2 other companies are now producing material for the government on the anthrax issue.
 
Here's a letter I wrote to my commander using materials I seem to have lost since 2000. It still contains some pertinent details.

June 11, 2000

RE: Formal statement of personal concern in participating in the Anthrax Vaccination
Immunization Program (AVIP). I respectfully request this statement be filed in my personal
military file.

Greetings,

Although I have strong personal loyalty and dedication to both God and country, I find a tremendous internal struggle and moral dilemma within. This struggle is directly related to a DOD order which many concede is a morally and ethically wrong program, the Anthrax Vaccination Immunization Program (AVIP) (See SSG Robert H. Soska Jr.’s testimony before the Committee on Govt. Reform; Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and Intn’l Relations, 21, July, 99). I agree with Lieutenant Colonel John C. Jensen, Wing Chief of Safety for the 120th Fighter Wing, Montana Air National Guard, Great Falls, Montana (testimony attached), when he states that, “I welcome a vaccine that would protect not only myself but those whom I am entrusted to lead into battle, provided it is truly safe and effective.” I respectfully submit this statement of reluctance to participate in AVIP for the following reasons:

Based on the volume of significant data and testimonies presented before the Committee on Govt. Reform; Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs, and Intn’l Relations, 21, July, 99, concerning the safety and efficacy of the Anthrax Vaccination Immunization Program (AVIP) the following data is the basis for my personal reticence in participating in this immunization program.

No long-term studies assessing the physical impact of the vaccine on individual health.

Numerous, yet apparently under-reported serious side effects in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), that at present do not meet the adverse reaction criteria. The reluctance of service men and women to “come forward” to report adverse effects due to perceived reprisals from medical and administrative superiors. (See attached testimony of Lieutenant Colonel John C. Jensen).


Concern over the repeated, numerous, FDA documented violations (Essentially grossly inadequate quality control) by the Michigan Biological Products Institute, the sole manufacturer of the anthrax vaccine. (See attached testimony of Lieutenant Colonel John C. Jensen).

Courageous efforts by Col. Felix Greider, 436th Airlift Wing Commander at Dover AFB, Delaware, to temporarily suspend AVIP following his personal investigations of numerous instances of severe, adverse effects from those under his command who took some of the AVIP inoculations. (See attached testimony of Captain Jon Richter).
The large number of armed forces personnel who are choosing to cut short their otherwise distinguished military career over ongoing participation in AVIP. (See attached testimony of Captain Jon Richter, Dover AFB, 21, July, 1999).

The apparent lack of genuine concern on the part of the DOD to clearly express the best interest of all military personnel by rigorously evaluating the increasing amount of data suggesting serious adverse medical effects with the present AVIP. (See attached testimony of Lieutenant Colonel John C. Jensen).

It is with grave concern for my personal, long-term health that I respectfully submit this
statement of concern. I would hope that all the internal discussion, external reporting, and the ever-increasing problem of retaining quality service men and women due to the agonizing decision to participate in AVIP, will motivate the DOD to fully and ethically evaluate AVIP so the corps may once again place their trust in their leaders. I strongly agree Captain Jon Richter who said in his sworn statement, “I took the oath to support and defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic and to obey the orders of the officers appointed over me. But at no time did I ever agree to be slowly poisoned, however well intentioned, under the guise of being “combat ready” so that every day is one filled with pain.” So it is also with my personal struggle to participate in AVIP. Such concerns as described above will be significant factor in deciding whether to re-enlist/make the Air Force my career.


Respectfully Submitted,

XXXXX

I didn't re-enlist, by the way.
 
On the one hand, it seems unlikely that the DoD would deliberately inflict needless discomfort on military personnel for no particular reason.

Now THAT is comedy gold!
 
I had mine back in 95 all the way thru 99 and my arm hasn't fallen off yet.

Also, animal vets have been getting them for years before that correct?

I ain't worried about the vaccination. Only thing that bothers me is the damn burning feeling for 10 minutes after you get it.;)
 
Here ya go for one source.
I think I would pass on the shot just on politics.

Vick

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=BioPort_Corporation

PR and Lobbying a Shot in the Arm for BioPort
The only licensed U.S. anthrax vaccine maker, BioPort, turned government contracts into "a gold mine," with help from the "right lobbyists and public relations professionals," writes Bob Evans in the Daily Press. [1]

In 2002, following questions about vaccine safety and its financial practices, BioPort nearly quadrupled spending on lobbyists (from $30,000 to $110,000) and hired Ruder Finn and Fleishman-Hillard, "high-powered public relations firms staffed by many former government officials." The company began "sponsoring 'public education seminars' and studies."

In September 2002, a report released by "bioterrorism experts" encouraged the government "to purchase millions of doses of BioPort's product." Evans says the report was actually "written by either BioPort or its public relations agent." BioPort also pays $40,000 a year to upkeep a website that "says it's sponsored by the Partnership for Anthrax Vaccination Education" and touts BioPort's product. This year, BioPort won "a $122.7 million contract" with the Department of Health and Human Services, with more funding under negotiation.

[edit]Personnel
Fuad El-Hibri, Chairman, CEO.
Robert Kramer, President, COO. Kramer "served as the director of the Michigan Biologic Products Institute until BioPort purchased it in 1998. Dr. Myers also spent 18 years in various roles at the Michigan Department of Public Health. He is also a member of the board of directors."
Robert Myers, Executive Vice President, CSO.
Adm. William J. Crowe, Jr. director, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another piece here:
http://militarycorruption.com/bioport.htm
 
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