Mandatory anthrax shots stir health fears, sap morale

[HARDCORE]

I've copied and pasted Winkenwerder's response below. There is a fine line between pride and stupidity.
I've personally had conversations of more than 10 refusers in six months. The odds of me talking to the "only refusers" in the US Forces are, well, zero. Servicemembers do not readily "accept" the vaccine. This shows that Winkenwerder stands in complete denial, which also has a fine line of pride and stupidity; has never read any of the GAO reports, and is completely out of touch with the troops and reality. Right now the forces are at a "stretching" point. Apparently it's going to take the forces to be at a complete breaking point, and completely jeopardizing national security (as where this is already heading), before the leadership gets their heads out of the sand.
What is needed, is not a half-assed risky, unproven and unsafe vaccine; what's needed is leadership.
Randi



http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...our-view_x.htm
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Mandatory anthrax shots stir health fears, sap morale
USA Today editorial
Dec 12, 2003

Ohio National Guardsman Kurt Hickman expected to head to Iraq or Afghanistan after getting a call-up notice days before Thanksgiving. Instead, his more likely destination is a jail cell. Hickman, 20, faces trial Saturday for refusing a mandatory anthrax vaccine he fears isn't safe. More than 500 other soldiers already have received punishments ranging from demotions to court-martials for refusing required anthrax shots.

The Pentagon says vaccines are essential to protect soldiers' health ? particularly from anthrax in Iraq, which developed biological agents. But that doesn't trump the Defense Department's equal obligation to investigate and weigh potential problems.

Instead, it clings to its policy of mandatory vaccinations, even as other countries are moving toward voluntary programs with successful results. The dug-in U.S. position forces concerned soldiers to choose between possibly endangering their health and ending their military service at a time when troop strength already is stretched.

Concerns fall into two categories:

Safety. According to a 2002 survey by the General Accounting Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress, 84% of the Air Force Reserve and National Guard troops who received anthrax vaccines since they became mandatory in 1998 had reactions. They included difficulty breathing, muscle aches, headaches and dizziness.

The Pentagon acknowledges that the death of reservist Rachel Lacy, 22, last April may have resulted from an anthrax vaccine. Veterans' groups; the National Vaccine Information Center, a public awareness group; and some members of Congress are calling for better research to determine whether more than 10 other deaths and hundreds of illnesses, from pneumonia to blood clots, may be linked to the vaccines.

Morale. The GAO said concern about mandatory anthrax shots was the main reason cited by two thirds of pilots and crew who left Air Force guard and reserve units from 1998 to 2000. After then vaccines were curtailed for two years because of shortages. Yet the Pentagon increasingly relies on these forces to relieve regular troops. Recruiters fear long tours of duty may drive many reservists away; mandatory shots are an added worry. The Army Reserve already missed a retention goal by 6.7% this year.

The Pentagon insists its vaccinations are safe. And for most people, they are.

But they aren't risk-free. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration warned that 5% to 35% of those who get shots could experience any of 40 side effects. About 6% of reactions can cause death, hospitalization or permanent disability.

Those risks, combined with the U.S. military's failure to find any biological weapons in Iraq so far, make a strong argument for a moratorium on mandatory vaccines ? at least while two safer anthrax vaccines are being developed.

Britain, with the most troops in Iraq after the U.S., made the anthrax vaccine voluntary this year. Since then, more than half of its soldiers have refused the shots. Australia, which also has troops in Iraq, has a voluntary anthrax vaccination policy as well.

By giving soldiers a choice about receiving vaccines as more studies on the health hazards are conducted, the Pentagon could ensure that soldiers like Hickman serve time where they're needed most.
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PENTAGON RESPONSE by Dr. William Winkenwerder, ASD for Health Affairs:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...1-oppose_x.htm
Vaccine protects troops
By William Winkenwerder
We provide vaccinations to our armed forces for a reason: to protect them from real threats, natural and man-made. We administer vaccinations based on scientific facts and the best medical practices.
Today, servicemembers are protected against tetanus, measles, typhoid, hepatitis, yellow fever, anthrax, smallpox and other dangers. The tragic death of Spc. Rachel Lacy reminds us that no medical intervention is risk-free. Independent panels of medical experts that reviewed her case concluded that the five vaccinations she received might have triggered a previously unknown, underlying autoimmune disorder. The panels could not conclude whether any single vaccine triggered the event.

We are applying the knowledge gained from this case so that others can benefit. I have directed our civilian advisory panel to assess the practice of simultaneous vaccinations, and we are disseminating new information to military doctors to heighten their vigilance for adverse events.

In 2001, anthrax killed five Americans and made many more seriously ill. Antibiotic treatment following the attacks proved critical in limiting the impact. Our troops, however, may not have an early warning; they need protection before exposure.

Voluntary immunizations put servicemembers, fighting units and military missions at risk ? a risk our commanders are not willing to take, and a risk medical science says we need not take.

Scientific knowledge behind the anthrax vaccine is impressive. In March 2002, a comprehensive study by the National Academy of Sciences concluded that the anthrax vaccine is safe and effective. The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine as effective against all forms of the disease. The Department of Defense has safely administered several million vaccine doses to more than 980,000 servicemembers.

Our vaccination program is sound and sensible. We provide medical exemptions where indicated and comprehensive education. Since restarting our anthrax vaccination program in 2002, fewer than 10 servicemembers have been discharged for refusals. Our servicemembers readily accept vaccination, understanding the benefits to themselves, their units and the mission.

Vaccines keep our military fit, protected and ready to fight as a team.

Dr. William Winkenwerderis assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs.