U.S. military endorses anthrax shots for troops

From CNN Military Affairs Correspondent Jamie McIntyre

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. military chiefs have endorsed a plan to vaccinate American forces against anthrax, but they said on Wednesday they are awaiting final approval from Defense Secretary William Perry.

Anthrax is an infectious disease of wild and domesticated animals that can be transmitted to people. It's believed that at least a dozen countries, including Iraq, have the capability to put the anthrax germ in weapons. If inhaled, as little as one-hundredth of a millionth of gram can kill a human.

A senior defense official told CNN the $120 million vaccination plan will be considered at a Pentagon meeting late next week and then forwarded to Perry, who is likely to approve. "There's a biological threat out there that can be safely protected against by immunization," the official said.

Objections

Objections to the plan came from military commanders who wanted to wait until troops were actually sent into battle and other military leaders who wanted a new vaccine that protected against more than just anthrax. Those objections were overridden by the need to do everything possible to protect U.S. troops, sources told CNN.

The anthrax vaccine, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, had been given previously to some 150,000 troops who served in the Persian Gulf War.

Some veterans believe that the vaccine, or the combination of vaccines they were given, may be responsible for various ailments known as Gulf War illnesses, but research so far has found no link between the anthrax vaccine and the illnesses.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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