The commander in chief's comment at a news conference Tuesday came a day after the Pentagon announced it would begin inoculating all 2.4 million military personnel against anthrax next summer. The measure is meant to protect troops against biological warfare or a terrorist attack using anthrax spores.
Infection is usually fatal.
Iraq and other countries possess anthrax in weapons form. Medical and Public Health experts agreed with the president's view. The threat of exposure is too low to justify it. The drug's manufacturer and the Food and Drug Administration recommend that veterinarians and researchers who work with animals from countries where anthrax may be common consider getting inoculated. He said military experts believe that a terrorist attack in a major U.S. city using a biological weapon is likely within five years.