Anthrax Vaccine Facing Cutback

W A S H I N G T O N, July 11, 2000 -- The Pentagon has announced that it is, for the first time, cutting back its controversial program to inoculate all military personnel against the deadly anthrax biological warfare agent because of a shortage of the vaccine.

According to the Pentagon, the military is running so short on usable doses of the anthrax vaccine that not all troops operating in high threat areas of Korea and the Persian Gulf may receive their shots. The Pentagon has been running out of usable doses and had been conducting “reliability” tests on one of the last lots, about 190,000 doses, that have been in storage for some years.

Known as “Lot 22,” it had already failed reliability testing once, and it became apparent to officials over the last few days that the batch would not pass the latest test and the standards of the Food and Drug Administration.

“We don't have enough supply to continue at our present rate without risking running out of vaccine,” Maj. Gen. Randy West said. “I certainly don't think its positive that we have to make a slowdown announcement.”

Select Few To Receive ShotsThe Pentagon also attributes the vaccine shortage to plodding construction of its new BioPort production plant in Michigan, the only U.S. facility that makes the anthrax vaccine. The production plant is not expected to gain FDA certification until August at the earliest and would not be able to have a new vaccine ready until January.

The reliability test is conducted by injecting guinea pigs with the vaccine in three separate strength levels, according to the Pentagon. Then the animals are exposed to anthrax. The ones receiving the strongest dose are supposed to live, and those receiving the weakest dose are expected to die.

With the failure of the last batch of the vaccine, only about 100,000 usable doses remain on the shelf. Defense Secretary William Cohen, who rejected the temporary suspension of the anthrax vaccination program, was expected to make a final decision today which soldiers will receive the remaining shots. At the current rate of usage, about 75,000 doses per month, the suspension would be almost immediate. Approximately 450,000 have been given some of the six shots administered in the anthrax vaccine. All troops deployed in high threat areas are supposed to receive the full series of shots. There is a “strategic reserve” in the event of war, which cannot be used routinely.

Although hundreds of thousands of doses have been successfully administered, a group of highly vocal soldiers, sailors, and airman have refused to take the shot and instead faced discharge — claiming the vaccine is unsafe. Some have faced court-martial hearings.