WP -- Vaccinations Were Given Despite Judge's Order

[Guest guest]

Washington Post

February 3, 2005

Pg. 4

Vaccinations Were Given Despite Judge's Order

More than 900 soldiers were given anthrax vaccinations in the past three months

despite a federal judge's order in October to stop the program because the

vaccine had not been properly tested and approved.

Col. P. , director of the military vaccine agency, informed Judge

Emmet G. Sullivan yesterday that the vaccinations were given even though Defense

Secretary H. Rumsfeld sent out a directive in late October ordering that

the vaccinations be stopped until further notice.

In a statement presented to the judge, also said that after learning that

some vaccinations were continuing, he sent out a message to all military medical

sites around the world, telling officials to remove any anthrax vaccine that

might remain in their refrigerators.

At the request of the Pentagon, the Food and Drug Administration issued an

emergency authorization late last month that would allow the vaccine to be used

without full agency review and approval. The department said it has no plans to

immediately re-start its program.