Service Member Resistance to the Department of Defense Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program

Abstract

The current Department of Defense anthrax vaccination policy has suffered from phenomenally negative publicity, resulting in significant distrust and reluctance among military members. Criticism has come not only from Internet conspiracy theorists, but from prominent figures in government, in academia, and in the popular media. Service members fear dangerous health effects from the vaccine. Unprecedented numbers of individuals have refused to comply with the policy, either through open disobedience or by leaving military service. Serious questions about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine remain unanswered. This paper reviews the policy, the controversy surrounding it, and the historical context in order to consider options for future actions relative to the policy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 19, 2002
Accession Number
ADA402086

Entities

People

  • Stephen C. Allison

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Factors
  • Chemical Warfare
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Health Services
  • Law
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Health
  • Side Effects
  • Vaccines
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Immunology
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology