At least ten countries have or are suspected of developing a biological warfare capability. Even though the plan has been reviewed extensively in the Pentagon, Cohen directed that it be independently assessed before implementation by Dr. Gerald N. Burrow of Yale University, who serves as Special Advisor to the Yale President for Health Affairs. But we also want to make sure that our overall immunization program is safe and effective. Since the Gulf War, the Department of Defense has increased the level of attention given to biological warfare defense and other force protection measures. The current world threat environment and the unpredictable nature of terrorism make it prudent to include biological warfare defense as part of our force protection planning.
Anthrax is one such threat.
It is an infectious disease that normally afflicts animals. A safe and effective vaccine is available that will protect our forces. It is a formalen inactivated vaccine that uses dead bacteria rather than live bacteria. There is no evidence from records at the MBPI that anthrax vaccine is associated with any chronic or permanent local or systemic effects. If immunity is to be maintained, subsequent booster injections of the vaccine at one year intervals following the initial series are necessary.