Subject: [Anthrax-no] Critical DOD meeting on anthrax vaccine reactions: Yes, GWS-like illnesses are occurring post-vaccination
Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 23:34:19 -0400
From: Meryl Nass <mnass@igc.apc.org>
Reply-To: Anthrax-no@onelist.com
To: "Anthrax-no@onelist.com" <Anthrax-no@onelist.com>

From: Meryl Nass <mnass@igc.apc.org>

A critically important informational meeting was held May 25-27, 1999 at
Fort Detrick, MD for 100 military physicians.

Although the meeting began with claims of 100% safety of the vaccine by
Major Strawder of the AVIP, his reassurances to the crowd were quickly
challenged.

The DOD has studied vaccine reactions, and some solid, accurate (by that
I mean consistent with what has been reported informally to me) data was
presented, which included the following:

1. In a study of 337 vaccinated servicemembers from Korea, the rate of
any reaction (from very minor to severe) was 40% in men, but 70% in
women. Reactions led to "decreased activity" in 3% of males, but in 8%
of females.

2. The ongoing study of 600 servicemembers at Tripler Army Medical
Center, Hawaii, has resulted in 20% (120 people) developing a systemic
reaction after at least one of the first three injections. However,
only 4 VAERS have been filed for this group, despite the high rate of
lost duty time, and need for medical attention

3. At Dover Air Force Base, 20-25 persons have been identified with a
similar, Gulf War-like illness resulting in a more than 50% reduction in
function, compared to their pre-vaccine state, according to Col. (Dr.)
Renata Engler, Chief of the Allergy/Immunology Department, Walter Reed,
and Consultant to OTSG, Allergy-Immunology.

4. Reasons for not filing VAERS are interesting. Since an adverse
reaction may prevent further vaccination, and thereby prevent a
servicemember from deployment, interfering with a career, some
physicians feel it is unethical to report adverse effects, based on the
"first do no harm" principle. For those part-timers such as pilots, a
VAERS could potentially end a civilian career. So far, only 111 VAERS
have been filed for 250,000 vaccinees.

Military physicians at this meeting have called for changes in policy to
increase VAERS reporting, possibly make the vaccinations voluntary, and
to more seriously evaluate and treat servicemembers' reactions due to
the vaccine.

I cannot emphasize enough how important these revelations are. They
fully support the claims that we have made about the frequency and
severity of vaccine adverse reactions. This is DOD's OWN DATA, obtained
over the past year. This information needs to be disseminated as widely
as possible.

According to Redmond Handy, "a key congressional staff member today said
it's a
godsend the Defense Authorization Bill got pulled because there's
interest
from some members to introduce an anthrax vaccine amendment--all the
more
critical that we flood the members of the House Armed Services Committee
with
our opinions over the next 2-3 weeks, especially after they return from
Memorial Day recess around June 8." Please remember, most
Congresspersons will be in their home districts this Memorial Day
vacation week.

Consider making an appointment with your reps or their staffers ASAP.
Let me/other list members know if more information is needed to assist
you in these visits.

I will share more revelations from this meeting over the weekend as
additional information becomes available.

Meryl Nass, MD

Parkview Hospital, Brunswick, Maine 04011
email mnass@igc.apc.org
phone (207) 865-0875
fax (207) 865-6975

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