Further distribution is highly encouraged.
Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Randy L. West, senior adviser to the deputy secretary of defense for chemical and biological protection, told reporters DoD has only about 160,000 doses of the vaccine on hand. He said DoD is trying to avoid suspending or shutting down the anthrax inoculation program. For the time being, most personnel in those areas who have begun the six-shot series will stop the inoculations if they rotate out. West said DoD guidance allows for local commanders' discretion, so, for instance, rotating soldiers might still get shots because the 10-dose vaccine vials can only be used or discarded once opened.