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May 31, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Civilians to Get Anthrax Shot Supply"

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (05/30/02); Burns, Robert

The plan to vaccinate all 2.4 million active members of the armed forces against anthrax with the Pentagon's supply is on hold according to David Chu, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, while details--including a plan to share the supply with the civilian population--are being worked out. Chu said that the events of last fall were clearly a national wake-up call regarding the real possibility of a biological attack.  Currently, the Homeland Security Office is trying to determine how much vaccine will be needed specifically for civilian first responders, but Chu added that it would not be prudent at this time to immediately adopt a policy of vaccinating the entire population.  In addition, Chu said that Pentagon is working on a new anthrax vaccine that would require fewer doses than the existing vaccine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating whether giving the current vaccine in fewer doses could provide adequate protection.

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