DATE=8/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237107
TITLE=ANTHRAX PENTAGON - L
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE U-S MILITARY IS STEPPING UP ITS PROGRAM TO PROTECT 
TROOPS FROM THE THREAT OF GERM WARFARE BY VACCINATING THOUSANDS 
MORE OF THEM AGAINST DEADLY ANTHRAX.  BUT EXPERTS SAY THE 
PENTAGON MUST DO A BETTER JOB OF TRAINING ITS PEOPLE HOW TO COPE 
WITH THE MICROBES AND CHEMICALS THEY MAY ENCOUNTER ON FUTURE 
BATTLEFIELDS.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST 10 NATIONS, INCLUDING IRAQ, HAVE
PROGRAMS TO TURN DISEASES INTO WEAPONS.  THEY SAY U-S TROOPS IN 
THE PERSIAN GULF AREA FACE THE GREATEST THREAT FROM GERM WEAPONS.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR HEALTH AFFAIRS, DOCTOR SUE 
BAILEY, SAYS ANTHRAX IS THE MOST LIKELY DISEASE TO LOAD INTO A 
WARHEAD.

                     /// DR BAILEY ACT 80///

         ANTHRAX IS A SIGNIFICANT BATTLEFIELD THREAT.  WE HAVE 
         PARTICULAR CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS EASILY WEAPONIZED INTO 
         AN AEROSOL FORM THAT LEADS TO THE DISEASE INHALATION 
         ANTHRAX.  

                         /// END ACT ///

WHICH DR. BAILEY SAYS IS 99 PERCENT FATAL.   

SO FAR, 48-THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIR MEN, AND MARINES 
SERVING IN THE GULF HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST SOME OF THE ANTI-ANTHRAX
SHOTS.

THE NEXT STEP BEGINS MONDAY WITH THE INOCULATION OF SERVICE 
MEMBERS HEADED FOR KOREA.  SOLDIERS ALREADY SERVING IN KOREA WILL
GET SHOTS BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER.

OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, ALL TWO POINT FOUR MILLION ACTIVE DUTY 
AND RESERVE MEMBERS OF THE U-S MILITARY WILL GET THE ANTHRAX 
VACCINE.

// OPT // IT TAKES SIX INJECTIONS SPACED OVER 18 MONTHS FOR THE 
VACCINE TO WORK AS DESIGNED.  ANNUAL BOOSTER SHOTS ARE NEEDED TO 
MAINTAIN PROTECTION. // END OPT // 

PAST PENTAGON VACCINATION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN SEVERELY CRITICIZED 
FOR POOR RECORD KEEPING, SECRECY AND OTHER PROBLEMS.  AND MORE 
THAN A DOZEN SAILORS AND AIRMEN HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR 
REFUSING TO TAKE THE SHOTS.  

DR. BAILEY SAYS THE PENTAGON HAS LEARNED FROM ITS MISTAKES AND 
IMPROVED COMPUTER TRACKING OF MEDICAL RECORDS, HIRED OUTSIDE 
SCIENTISTS TO REVIEW THE PROGRAM AND USES A VACCINE WITH A LONG, 
SAFE TRACK RECORD.  SHE SAYS SEVEN SERVICE MEMBERS HAVE GOTTEN 
MILDLY SICK AFTER THE INJECTIONS.

                      /// DR. BAILEY ACT///

         WE HAVE HAD A REMARKABLY LOW ADVERSE REACTION RATE.

                         /// END ACT ///

WHILE SOME OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE TAKING STEPS TO PROTECT 
AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES FROM GERM WARFARE, THE PENTAGON 
INSPECTOR GENERAL SAYS THERE IS A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.  A RECENT 
REPORT SAID MOST U-S MILITARY UNITS LACK THE TRAINING NEEDED TO 
FIGHT EFFECTIVELY ON A CONTAMINATED BATTLEFIELD.  THE REPORT SAID
MANY SOLDIERS WOULD DIE NEEDLESSLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T USE 
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROPERLY.  AND THE REPORT SAYS TOO MUCH OF 
THE CURRENT TRAINING RELIES ON INEFFECTIVE CLASSROOM LECTURES 
RATHER THAN REALISTIC FIELD EXERCISES. (SIGNED).

NEB/JR/WDC/JO  



14-Aug-98 4:10 PM EDT (2010 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.