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Court: Pentagon can force anthrax vaccine on soldiers and Employees 3-1-08
The Defense Department was sued
by some of the department's employees for its compulsory anthrax vaccinations
for certain troops, but U.S. District Judge Rosemary M Collyer ruled to dismiss
the case, Washington Post reported.
The lawsuit argues that military personnel should not be forced to take the
vaccine because no scientific evidence indicates that it's effective for humans,
Mark Zaid, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs was cited as saying.
The suit was filed in hopes that the court will block the Pentagon from
vaccinating the plaintiffs and rule that the anthrax vaccine was improperly
approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Zaid argued that the FDA drew conclusions about the effectiveness of the anthrax
vaccine in humans based on old animal studies. But Cynthia O. Smith, a Defense
Department spokeswoman was cited as saying that the vaccine is safe and
effective and the military personnel must be inoculated with the vaccine.
This is not the first lawsuit filed against the Pentagon. A similar lawsuit
filed earlier convinced a federal judge to halt mandatory vaccinations in Oct.
2004. The judge believed that an FDA review of the anthrax vaccine was
insufficient. Because of the ruling, the vaccine was then administered on a
voluntary basis.
In 2005, the FDA reviewed the vaccine again leading to a conclusion based on
which the Pentagon said in Oct 2006 that it would resume the mandatory
vaccination program for more than 200,000 troops.
The six employees who filed the failed lawsuit were cited as saying yesterday
that they would appeal the ruling.
Comment:
I don't even know what to say. My brother who is in the military, says that when you join you become government property and they have the right to protect their investment, no matter what way they choose to. This is apparently what they are told. All vaccines should be voluntary. Doctors in certain areas of medicine have also been forced to take the vaccination. My condolences to the employees who lost this landmark case and I sincerely hope they win their appeal for all our sakes! Below are common questions answered by the CDC. By the way most Americans have immunity to Anthrax.
Common questions and answers about anthrax
cited from CDC.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming
bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax
most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep,
goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans
when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
How common is anthrax and who can get it?
Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. These
include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa,
the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually
due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers
who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where
anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis (industrial
anthrax). Anthrax in wild livestock has occurred in the United States.
How is anthrax transmitted?
Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and
gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and
humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected
animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax
can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare
to find infected animals in the United States.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but
symptoms usually occur within 7 days.
Cutaneous: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a
cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides,
leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin
infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within
1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in
diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph
glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous
anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial
therapy.
inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the
symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. inhalation anthrax
is usually fatal.
Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of
contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the
intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are
followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal
anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.
Where is anthrax usually found?
Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in developing countries or
countries without veterinary public health programs. Certain regions of the
world (South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the
Caribbean, and the Middle East) report more anthrax in animals than others.
Can anthrax be spread from person-to-person?
Anthrax is not known to spread from one person to another person.
Communicability is not a concern in managing or visiting with patients with
inhalation anthrax.
Is there a way to prevent infection?
In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds are
low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products and avoid
eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. Also, an anthrax
vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. The vaccine is reported to be 93%
effective in protecting against anthrax.
What is the anthrax vaccine?
The anthrax vaccine is manufactured and distributed by BioPort, Corporation,
Lansing, Michigan. The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it
contains no dead or live bacteria in the preparation. The final product contains
no more than 2.4 mg of aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant. Anthrax vaccines intended
for animals should not be used in humans.
Who should get vaccinated against anthrax?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended anthrax
vaccination for the following groups:
bulleted list item, level 1 Persons who work directly with the organism in
the laboratory
bulleted list item, level 1 Persons who work with imported animal hides or
furs in areas where standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax
spores.
bulleted list item, level 1 Persons who handle potentially infected animal
products in high-incidence areas. (Incidence is low in the United States, but
veterinarians who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher
should consider being vaccinated.)
bulleted list item, level 1 Military personnel deployed to areas with high
risk for exposure to the organism (as when it is used as a biological warfare
weapon).
The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's
Office can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222). http://www.anthrax.osd.mil
Pregnant women should be vaccinated only if absolutely necessary.
What is the protocol for anthrax vaccination?
The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given 2 weeks apart
followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18
months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are recommended thereafter.
Are there adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine?
Mild local reactions occur in 30% of recipients and consist of slight tenderness
and redness at the injection site. Severe local reactions are infrequent and
consist of extensive swelling of the forearm in addition to the local reaction.
Systemic reactions occur in fewer than 0.2% of recipients.
How is anthrax diagnosed?
Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or
respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of
persons with suspected cases.
Is there a treatment for anthrax?
Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. To be effective, treatment should
be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Where can I get more information about the recent Department of Defense decision
to require men and women in the Armed Services to be vaccinated against anthrax?
The Department of Defense recommends that servicemen and women contact their
chain of command on questions about the vaccine and its distribution. The
anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office
can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222).
http://www.anthrax.osd.mil