2.4 Million Anthrax Shots Ready for Military

The Pentagon is ready to begin inoculating all 2.4 million men and women in the military and reserves against deadly anthrax. Troops in Southeast Asia and Korea will be treated first, starting next week.

Until now, only U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf have been protected against the biological menace that’s 99% lethal if inhaled. It is in the arsenal or being developed as a weapon by at least 10 nations, the Defense Department said Friday.

“It’s the poor man’s atomic bomb,” said Rear Adm. Michael Cowan, deputy director of medical readiness for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “It’s ubiquitous. . . . It’s easy to grow.”

“This is an efficient, effective and safe way to protect our forces against an emerging threat,” Defense Secretary William S. Cohen said in a statement.

Cohen ordered development of the $130-million inoculation program in December. The first series of six shots over 18 months began this spring for those serving in the Gulf because chances were deemed highest for an attack by Iraq.

All military forces are expected to be immunized by 2004 or 2005, the Pentagon said. An annual booster shot is needed.

So far, 48,000 troops have received inoculations and only seven have reported adverse reactions, said Dr. Sue Bailey, assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs.

Fifteen members of the military refused the shots, she added. Two have been discharged and the others received lesser punishments, the Pentagon said.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the anthrax vaccine in 1970.