Anthrax Vaccine

[old medic]

For those interested in this subject, here are two conflicting reports on the subject:

http://www.anthrax.osd.mil/media/pdf/safety_rev.pdf

Detailed Safety Review of Anthrax Vaccine Absorbed 22 February 2005
by the US Army Medical command.
In Summary, they claim it's safe while referencing CFMG documents to support their argument.

and;

http://www.mrc.ac.uk/pdf-gulf-review-minutes.pdf

Review of Research Related to Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
by the UK Military Health Research Advisory Group.
In Summary, they claim there is a link between who got sick and who got immunized while referencing
CFMG documents to support their argument.

 

[Radop]

Typically Canadian, eh!!!! :

 

[medicineman]

For every study for something, you'll find at least one that conflicts with it.  Oh, and don't forget that, statistically speaking, 43% of all statistics are statistically useless.

MM 

 

[old medic]

A news item on the US use of Anthrax vaccine, and the US court injuction against it.

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_anthrax_021705,00.html

 

[Bigmac]

Canadian soldiers can skip anthrax vaccine

By DENE MOORE
ADVERTISEMENT



MONTREAL — Canadian military officials say they’re not considering a mandatory anthrax vaccination campaign even though the U.S. military has made the controversial inoculation mandatory for its soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

As of April 30, all U.S. soldiers heading to Afghanistan will have to be immunized against anthrax.

The U.S. Department of Defence has announced that all branches of its military will have to inoculate service members heading to high threat areas, including Iraq, Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula.

But Gloria Kelly, spokeswoman for the Canadian Forces health services group, said Monday that the Department of National Defence is not considering the same.

"At this point in time, we are not requiring our people to have anthrax vaccinations nor are we considering it," Kelly said from Ottawa.

Both the Canadian and U.S. militaries ceased mandatory anthrax immunizations after questions arose about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

The U.S. army continued to offer a voluntary vaccination but only about half of U.S. soldiers signed on.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has since declared the anthrax vaccine safe and effective, opening the door to the mandatory program south of the border.

"The anthrax vaccine will protect our troops from another threat — a disease that will kill, caused by a bacteria that already has been used as a weapon in America, and that terrorists openly discuss," Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defence for health affairs, said in a U.S. defence department statement announcing the program.

In little more than six weeks, all U.S. soldiers heading to Afghanistan will have to be immunized against anthrax, a bacterial infection that commonly occurs in domesticated animals.

Anthrax has not been used in combat but five people died and 17 were sickened when anthrax spores were sent through the U.S. mail in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/562959.html

      The issue is back in the limelight. As of 30 Apr all US soldiers heading to Afghanistan will be getting the Anthrax Vaccine. At this time Canadian soldiers are not but should they be??

 

[Staff Weenie]

Unless there is a direct and credible threat of weaponized inhalation anthrax, which I don't believe there is, then I'd say no need for another stick. Without an advanced and viable delivery system, anthrax really isn't a great bio-weapon. Plus, I've heard that additional research and treatment information is lowering the mortality rate.

Just the media, looking for contentious stories - maybe a way to create a Canadian "Gulf War Syndrome"......

 

[medicineman]

Unless there is a direct and credible threat of weaponized inhalation anthrax, which I don't believe there is, then I'd say no need for another stick. Without an advanced and viable delivery system, anthrax really isn't a great bio-weapon. Plus, I've heard that additional research and treatment information is lowering the mortality rate.

Just the media, looking for contentious stories - maybe a way to create a Canadian "Gulf War Syndrome"......

Of course, since there is a mild prevalence of natural anthrax there, the troops are going to have to keep the velcro gloves in the rucks if they happen upon some goats or sheep...

MM

 

[Staff Weenie]

According to my int, Osama has said chickens are out of the question, but donkeys are a grey area.....

Besides, I believe that most animal-human transmission of Anthrax is cutaneous rather than pulmonary (inhalation) (95% according to WHO).

For anybody interested in a very general description, see:  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs264/en/

I'd be more worried about leishmaniasis.......

 

[RatCatcher]

For leichmaniasis... listen to what the PMeds tell you. IE Treat your combats, and use the cream... although I heard it turns to nice mud during the sand storms...lol. As for anthrax...stay away from the animals!!!!

 

[PMedMoe]

What turns to mud during the sandstorm?? The cream? Possibly, but you're right, best way to prevent any arthropod bites!! (uniform treatment and cream)
Anthrax? IMHO, I don't think it's an issue at present.