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
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