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ADF denies keeping Anthrax vaccine effects secret

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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has moved to reassure the families of soldiers sent to Iraq and Afghanistan of the safety of the anthrax vaccine they were given.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has moved to reassure the families of soldiers sent to Iraq and Afghanistan of the safety of the anthrax vaccine they were given.This follows a newspaper report today claiming the vaccination program in Afghanistan was suspended for two months because of side effects suffered by some troops.The report also claims that soldiers in Iraq were not told this.The director general of defence health services, Air Commodore Tony Austin, says the delay was caused by a minor concern over some vaccine recipients, whose side effects were not serious.He says the program resumed once the vaccine was confirmed as pure and effective.He stresses there was never any cause for alarm.”The international literature continues to confirm that the vaccine is safe,” he said. “Secondly, we monitor their health comprehensively, as men and women of the ADF they undergo periodic health assessments.”But I do want to reassure them that we do not do these things lightly, and that we believe, based on good solid scientific evidence, that the program was safe and effective.”(Source: ABC Health News, Feb 2004)


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Dates

Posted On: 21 February, 2004
Modified On: 5 December, 2013


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