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January 27, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Some Troops Freeze Sperm Before Deploying"

USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (01/27/03) P. 1A; Alvord, Valerie

Some military men, because of a fear of possible vaccine side effects and possible exposure to chemical and biological agents in the Middle East, are visiting laboratories prior to deployment to get their sperm frozen and stored.  While the military states that there has been no evidence linking mandatory shots, or other substances soldiers might be exposed to, and infertility, thousands of troops deployed to the Gulf War 12 years ago reported infertility, muscle pain, and headaches upon their return home, with some saying the anthrax vaccine and chemicals they may have been exposed to were to blame.

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