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January 08, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"British Defense Officials Assure Troops That Anthrax Vaccine Is Safe" Associated Press (www.ap.org) (01/08/03)

The British Ministry of Defense asserted Wednesday that the anthrax vaccine, which was offered to soldiers who may be deployed to Iraq, is safe and that there have been no reports of serious complications.  The ministry was responding to reports from the Gulf War Veterans and Families Association, which said that British troops are concerned about the vaccine and that some have felt ill after being vaccinated.  British Defense Minister Lewis Moodie noted that while soreness at the site of injection and flu-like illness are possible after vaccination, the anthrax vaccine has not caused one serious side effect in the many years since it was first delivered.

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