Demotion Irks Marine Who Refused Vaccine
A Camp Pendleton Marine who was demoted when he refused a mandatory anthrax vaccination says a judge’s ruling suspending the program is vindication -- but it’s not enough.
Anthony Fusco, 23, was demoted from corporal to lance corporal for refusing to receive the vaccination earlier this year.
Though he later acquiesced and was vaccinated, Fusco is upset over the reduction in rank and loss of pay.
More than 900,000 servicemen and women have received the shots, according to the Pentagon. The mandatory program began in 1998.
On Monday, a federal judge ruled that the Pentagon must stop requiring that servicemen and women take the vaccination against their will, unless President Bush signs a special order.
That led to a suspension of the program, though the federal government has long maintained that the vaccine is safe and effective.
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