Posted on 10/29/2004 9:41:50 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
A federal judge in Washingtonon Wednesday ordered the Department of Defense to stop requiring mandatory anthrax vaccination for military personnel because the drug has not been declared safe or effective for military use.
Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ruled the anthrax vaccine is either "a drug unapproved for its intended use, or an investigational new drug." Pentagon officials need to obtain the informed consent of each service member inoculated or a presidential waiver to allow its continued use, the judge ruled.
He remanded the Food and Drug Administration's finding that the anthrax vaccine is effective against aerosolized or inhaled anthrax for reconsideration. The vaccine was originally developed to fight anthrax infection absorbed through the skin.
In January, Sullivan had lifted a preliminary injunction against military use of the vaccine after the FDA asserted the vaccine was effective against anthrax spores absorbed through the skin.
Six unidentified members of the military, who said their forced use of the vaccine violated their rights, filed the lawsuit alleging that studies supporting the vaccine's use against inhaled anthrax are statistically invalid. Thousands of service members have voiced concerns about the vaccine's adverse side effects.
"We're ecstatic," said Mark Zaid, the attorney for the service members. "It validates our position of six years that the program was illegal and ill-conceived from day one."
Justice Department spokesman Charles Miller said the government was reviewing the anthrax decision and has made no decision yet whether to appeal.
Defense Department officials have maintained the vaccine is essential to protect the troops from enemy biological attacks. However, service members, their advocates and vaccine critics say there is no evidence U.S. enemies or terrorists are intent upon using anthrax spores.
(Excerpt) Read more at ctnow.com ...
Along with the article I added the article on the Army Times website.
I know there are many with mixed feelings on this issue. My beloved feels that if you are in the military and serve in areas where this is needed, the soldiers should and must take it, he has.
Yes, there are drawbacks, there are questions about the vaccine. So, now a judge has halted the vaccine, so now they will investigate to ensure the best for our military.
I do not feel for a minute, that the soldiers are being treated as guinea pigs. They are vaccinated because not to in their belief is criminal and to have this horrific disease attack them, well the lesser of two evils, the vaccine.
I also enclose the court documents that a fellow Freeper sent along.
Challenge the lawfulness of the government's Anthrax Vaccination Immunization Program ("AVIP")
I believe this is a very important subject and we should follow it closely. I am keeping an open mind. Obviously our main interest should be the welfare of our fine men and women in the U. S. Military.
Anthrax and the military court case **ping**
My husband had it done last year and he hasn't suffered any ill effects from it. He had some pain, slight swelling and felt a little under the weather for a couple of days, but that was it.
I have some serious questions about the anthrax vaccination. Military doctors (M.D.s, as a matter of fact) have had their military careers ruined because they refused to take the anthrax vaccine. If an M.D. is willing to chuck his career before getting the shot, that tells me that there are some serious problems with the shot.
Thank you for posting! Rather than have negative feed back on this thread I hope people research before they come to their conclusions. Nay-sayers are not what our troops need. Visit www.milvacs.org
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