Tom Heemstra says his prediction has since come true and he's preparing to stand before Congress again. This time, he'll also be armed with stories of pilots who say they were driven from base or threatened with courts-martial because they would not roll up their sleeves. He is scheduled to testify Wednesday before the House Government Reform Committee about how the anthrax inoculation program has affected the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne. Joining him will be Capt. Dan Marohn, a pilot at the base who was fined for disobeying an order, then threatened with jail time.
Anthrax is a disease that typically afflicts animals, especially sheep and cattle.
When inhaled, dry anthrax spores, which can be put into weapons, can cause death in humans. Some officers began questioning the safety and effectiveness of the shot more than a year ago after reports of adverse reactions. At a congressional hearing last week, the FDA said more than 1,500 people have reported such reactions but that there was no clear pattern of illness. The plan to inoculate all service members has been cut back because of a vaccine shortage. Earlier this year, a House subcommittee urged the Defense Department to suspend the anthrax program until it obtains approval for an improved vaccine.