DoD Stops Anthrax Vaccinations
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On Dec. 22, 2003, a federal judge in Washington ordered the Defense Department to halt anthrax vaccinations for service members without their consent. As a result, the Pentagon has stopped the vaccinations while DoD officials and lawyers with the Justice Department examine the decision. On Dec. 23, Dr. William Winkenwerder, Jr., assistant secretary for health affairs, announced DoD's displeasure with the judge's ruling. Winkenwerder insisted that the vaccine was not experimental and had been shown to be effective against inhalational anthrax--the most deadly form of infection. He said it was the Pentagon's responsibility to protect its troops from the very real danger of weaponized anthrax. DoD considers anthrax vaccinations for service members deploying to high-threat areas as crucial. "We don't send soldiers into battle without helmets," said a Defense official. Meanwhile, on Jan. 30, 2003, the Food and Drug Administration declared the vaccine to be "safe and effective."