Fears over anthrax vaccination driving away US reservists

British Medical Journal, Oct 21, 2000 by Fred Charatan

A compulsory anthrax vaccination programme, begun in 1997 for all 2.4 million US active duty and reserve troops, is leading to resignations of thousands of US reservists.

Although the vaccine has been used for 29 years, widespread fears of its possible long term adverse health effects have resulted in a quarter of 176 000 pilots and aircrew in the US air force reserve or national guard leaving their jobs or requesting reassignment. Assurances of its safety by the Pentagon and comprehensive monitoring of the service members receiving the vaccine have failed to staunch the flow.

The House Committee on Government Reform issued a report critical of the programme in February, and this month the General Accounting Office, the investigatory arm of Congress, also criticised it.

Fred Charatan Florida