NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 047-02
(703)695-0192(media)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2002
(703)697-5737(public/industry)

DOD REACTS TO ANTHRAX VACCINE PRODUCTION LICENSURE

"We are pleased to learn of the Food and Drug Administration's
(FDA) approval of BioPort's new manufacturing facility to
produce anthrax vaccine," Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Health Affairs William Winkenwerder Jr. said today.  "This
action by the FDA will result in an assured availability of
vaccine, which meets high standards for safety and efficacy, to
protect our troops against the very real threat of anthrax."

"The FDA approval recognizes efforts expended by BioPort and the
Department of Defense to ensure high quality manufacturing
processes that meet FDA requirements," said Deputy Assistant to
the Secretary of Defense (Chemical and Biological Defense) Anna
Johnson-Winegar.

The department will continue to protect designated special
mission units with the anthrax vaccine and is undertaking a
thorough review of all factors to decide its future use of the
vaccine.

In doing so, the department's healthcare leaders have been
consulting with the Department of Health and Human Services
regarding possible civilian needs for the vaccine.  We are also
collaborating in our efforts to develop new vaccines and
treatments for agents most likely to be used in a bioterrorism
attack.

The DoD expects an announcement regarding its anthrax
vaccination policy in the near future.
The FDA release is at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2002/NEW00792.html .

[Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2002/b01312002_bt047-01.html]

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.