>>14276646 (lb)
After the ANTHRAX VACCINE mandate, we lost 16-34% of our Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Personnel
ANTHRAX VACCINE GAO’s Survey of Guard and Reserve Pilots and Aircrew (2002)
excerpt:
"Although DOD has maintained from the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization
Program (AVIP) outset that the anthrax vaccine is very safe and causes
minimally adverse effects, our survey disclosed that a significantly large
number of vaccine recipients reported experiencing adverse events.
Further, the results of two DOD studies on anthrax vaccine reactions
—both of which used active monitoring systems,
as opposed to a passive system such as VAERS, for
gathering information on adverse events—are consistent with and support
the results of our survey. The rates disclosed in the survey and the DOD
studies are each significantly higher than those stated in the vaccine
product insert until recently. Such marked variances from the product
insert data suggest the possibility of change in the composition of the
vaccine from the vaccine originally approved in 1970.
In summary, AVIP appears to have adversely affected the Air National
Guard and Air Force Reserve in terms of retaining needed experienced
personnel. Sixteen percent of our survey respondents either left the
military or significantly reduced their level of participation, citing the
anthrax immunization program as an important factor in their decision to
do so. Interestingly, 45 percent of these individuals indicated that they
would consider returning if AVIP were made voluntary. Further, at the
time of our survey, 18 percent of those still participating indicated their
intention to leave in the near future, again citing AVIP as an important
factor in that decision. Unfortunately, the actual losses and expected
losses as a result of this program represented some of the most
experienced and highly trained individuals in these services and are
people not easily replaced. It takes time and a great deal of money and
other resources to develop trained, experienced pilots and other aircrew
members to support the important missions of these reserve components,
particularly in light of the current battle against terrorism.
Recommendations
We recommend that the Secretary of Defense direct the establishment of
an active surveillance program (unlike the passive VAERS) to identify and
monitor adverse events associated with each anthrax vaccine
immunization. This program should ensure that appropriate and complete
treatment and follow-up are provided to those who have experienced
adverse events and to those who may experience them in the future.
--------
Q: Did DOD ever establish an active surveillance program (unlike the passive VAERS) to identify and
monitor adverse events associated with vaccines???