Pentagon reduces anthrax vaccinations

Shortage cited, shots limited to southwest Asia

From Jim Barnett
CNN Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing short supplies rather than safety concerns, the Defense Department announced Thursday military personnel outside of southwest Asia will not receive shots of the controversial Anthrax vaccine.

MESSAGE BOARD The U.S. military

"The reason we're focusing on Southwest Asia is, we know that the Iraqis...(have) weaponized anthrax," Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon said. "It is a clear and present threat."

A recent congressional inquiry concluded that concerns about the safety of the shots played a role in the decision by as much as 25 percent of pilots and air crews in the Air Force Guard and Reserve who transferred or left the military.

But the Pentagon on Thursday cited only a short supply of the vaccine as the reason for its reduction in immunizations.

"This move is necessary to conserve available vaccine supply while protecting those service members at greatest risk and maintaining a contingency reserve for unexpected domestic or terrorist requirements," the department said in a news release.

Last July, officials announced only military people going to the Persian Gulf, Korea and Southwest Asia would receive shots until more vaccines are produced.

"We are further reducing the program," Bacon said Thursday.

Bacon said that once the 60,000 doses of the vaccine are administered, the department will have to tap into reserves.

Officials say a full resumption of the vaccination program will begin when a "sufficient supply of FDA-approved and certified safe and effective vaccine is available next year."

More than 495,000 service members have started the vaccinations and nearly 2 million shots have been given, according to the Defense Department.

The Pentagon said Bioport, a Michigan company that's making the vaccine, is about nine to 12 months away from certification following a series of problems related to sterility, potency, purity and other standards.

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