The vaccine targets the essence, or heart, of anthrax, making it highly effective, Cowan said. However, Russian scientists recently reported they had genetically altered anthrax, making it resistant to their vaccine. Such a strain would provide a potent and fatal weapon if it falls into the hands of a rogue nation or transnational terrorists. Cowan said DoD is attempting to obtain the altered strain for testing against the Bioport vaccine. And because anthrax is easily turned into a biological weapon, he said, the vaccine will continue to be mandatory for service members.
Anthrax is the poor man's atomic bomb.
By immunizing our force, we are immunizing ourselves against an 'atomic' bomb.