\r\n23 December 2003\r\n<\/p>
\r\nby Anai Rhoads
Veriana Media<\/i>\r\n<\/p>
\r\n<\/p>
\r\nThe Department of Defense (DoD) plans to inoculate 2.4 million active duty personnel\r\nagainst Anthrax. The estimated cost is $130 million for the immunisations against\r\nthe potentially dangerous bacterial disease. The once believed \"preventative\"\r\ntherapy called for six injections of the dead bacteria over a period of 18 months,\r\nfollowed by annual booster shots.[1] So far an estimated 900,000 have been subjected to\r\nan illegal, yet mandatory, anthrax Inoculation enforced by the DoD.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nUnited States District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled Monday that the anthrax inoculation\r\nviolated a 1998 law that forbids experimental drugs to be imposed without either \r\nthe person's consent or signature by the Chief in Command. This ruling is especially important to the active duty\r\nmilitary who refused the vaccine.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nFor filing against the Pentagon over the mandatory anthrax inoculations, an Air Force\r\nofficer received a sixty day base restriction and was fined the sum of $21,000. Another officer\r\nwho filed along was pushed out of a fourteen year long military career.[2]\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAccording to Public Health[3], the Anthrax vaccine was never proven to be safe. Vaccinees\r\nreported symptoms of dizziness, laboured breathing, muscle aches, fatigue and ongoing\r\nheadaches which also resembled a host of Gulf War illnesses (Gulf War Syndrome). Without adequate\r\nevaluation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved changes to the\r\nBioCorp's vaccine composition several times since 1990.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nDespite confirming possible harm to unborn babies, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)\r\noffered the vaccine to children and pregnant women. A 1996 U.S. Army Medical Research Institute\r\nof Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) study revealed that out of thirty-five women given the\r\nvaccine only seven reportedly gave birth to healthy babies.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nBioport Corporation of Lansing, Michigan, formerly known as the Michigan Biologic Products\r\nInstitute, received a lucrative $29 million contract from the Pentagon to produce the\r\nvaccine.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nDespite the fact that French soldiers during the Gulf War were not<\/i> given the anthrax vaccine\r\nand do not<\/i> exhibit any symptoms of GWS, many still debate whether or not the vaccine\r\nis truly to blame for syndrome.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAnthrax in a cutaneous form infects the skin and ulcerates. If ingested, it attacks the\r\ndigestive system causing excessive vomiting and pain. Anthrax is most dangerous when it\r\nenters the respiratory system. An enemy may use it as a biological weapon, spreading it\r\nin powder form to be inhaled by the intended target.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nAccording to the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA),\r\nthere is no significant data connecting the vaccine with prevention of\r\nAnthrax's effects on the respiratory system. Experts state that the vaccine\r\ncould never keep up with other biological agents, genetically engineered germs or anthrax\r\npermutations. Experts on germ warfare have little confidence in vaccines as a defence overall.\r\n<\/p>
\r\n©2003 Veriana Media. Reproduction must be authorised in writing only, and altering the\r\nmaterial and this copyright is prohibited and protected by international law. Please\r\ncontact Veriana Media for reprint and licencing\r\npermission.\r\n<\/p>
\r\nReferences:<\/i>\r\n<\/p>
\r\n[1] Hearing on DoD's Mandatory Anthrax\r\nVaccine Immunisation Programme\r\n<\/p>
\r\n[2] Mandatory anthrax vaccine for troops challenged in court - Washington Times\r\n<\/p>
\r\n[3] The Anthrax Vaccine Program: An Analysis of the CDC's Recommendations for Vaccine use.\r\nNass Am J Public Health.2002; 92: 715-721.\r\n<\/p>
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