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July 1, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Pentagon to Resume Anthrax Vaccinations"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (06/29/02) P. A3; Gugliotta, Guy

Military personnel assigned to "high-threat" areas for longer than 15 days will receive an immunization against anthrax, according to Defense Department assistant defense secretary for health affairs William Winkenwerder.  Due to the low supply of the vaccine and requirement for six shots over 18 months, he explains that the original plan to vaccinate all military personnel against the disease is no longer practical, while precautions, such as intelligence, surveillance, protective clothing, antibiotics, and other measures, have been implemented to prevent infection.  BioPort, the only anthrax vaccine supplier in the United States, has not received a decision regarding vaccinating civilian first-response personnel, but after it does receive such a decision, it plans to increase production of the vaccine.  Winkenwerder asserts that the anthrax vaccine is mandatory for personnel in high-threat areas, such as the Middle East and possibly Korea.  Health officials are currently working on a new anthrax vaccine that requires fewer shots.

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