$6M for Management of the Military Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program

[Guest guest]

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2005/08/6m-for-management-of-the-

military-anthrax-vaccine-immunization-program/index.php

Eagle Group International in Atlanta, GA received a $6 million firm-

fixed-price 5-year contract for Management of the Military Vaccine/

Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program. Work will be performed in Falls

Church, VA and is expected to be complete by Aug. 22, 2010. There

were an unknown number of bids solicited via the World Wide Web on

June 17, 2005, and two bids were received. The Center for Healthcare

Contracting at Fort Sam Houston, TX issued the contract (W814K04-05-

C-7011).

The US Military's anthrax vaccines have been the subject of some

controversy, with a book by award-winning journalist Matsumoto

linking them to Gulf War Syndrome. The book remains controversial,

and the U.S. Defense Department maintains an AVIP web site that sets

forth its views regarding the program.

Nass wonders why a private company is being paid to manage this

program. What precisely is being managed? The Army, executive agent

for vaccinations, ran the program by itself until now. Is this

contract designed to shield individuals in the military from

accountability regarding their decisions about the program? Who is

getting the six million dollars? Is some of it going to retired

military officers who had previous responsibility for the program?

Can someone obtain a copy of the contract to share with me?

Meryl Nass, MD

Mount Desert Island Hospital

Bar Harbor, Maine 04609

207 288-5081 ext. 220