Possible dangers of military anthrax vaccines
I have been contacted by an area woman whose son, serving in the Army, does not wish to receive the mandatory (for soldiers such as he who are being deployed to high-risk areas) vaccination against anthrax. He is worried not only about reports of problems associated with that vaccine, particularly because he has a history of adverse reactions to other vaccines, including a seizure after a childhood DPT injection, the mother says.
I've found some Web sites and blogs that SAY the vaccination is dangerous, but so far I've not found any journal articles or government reports that address the safety question directly. Meanwhile, the soldier, who has received the first of three injections, is planning to refuse the others even at the risk of likely disciplinary action.
(In case it matters, I should point out that according to the mom, this soldier sought and received a transfer from the reserves to the regular Army specifically because he wanted to serve in Iraq. Not all soldiers must receive the anthrax vaccine, but those being sent to actual or potential trouble spots, such as the Middle East and Korea, must do so. This soldier's mom, however, says the recruiter told her son that the vaccination was purely optional. I have no evidence on that claim either way at this point.)
Can anyone out there point me in the direction of some disinterested research into the issue of anthrax-vaccine safety, or recommend experts to whom I can speak?
