The vaccine has been licensed by the FDA since 1970 and used commercially in this country for 30 years. DoD has plenty of experience with anthrax vaccine and lots of data to show that the vaccine has not been associated with any unusual or unexpected pattern of adverse events. There have been 13 Safety Studies related to anthrax vaccine. These studies involved more than 366,000 vaccine recipients and collectively demonstrate the overall safety of the vaccine. Mandatory programs must be enforceable.
Commanders make enforcement decisions to maintain good order and discipline.
It must be the policy of the United States government today and in the future to protect our armed forces against clear biological warfare threats. The consequences of unvaccinated unit members becoming biological warfare casualties would be tragic enough, but the consequences would be graver than their deaths alone. Their individual deaths may jeopardize the capability and survival of entire military units, as well as the success of the military mission.