The U.S. Defense Department will probably distribute most of its anthrax vaccine supply to U.S. civilians, a Pentagon official said yesterday (see GSN, May 20).

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have heightened the need to be able to protect the U.S. civilian population against the possibility of a biological weapons attack, which is why most of the U.S. military’s anthrax vaccine supply will be set aside for civilian use, said David Chu, defense undersecretary for personnel and readiness.  Only those U.S. troops considered most at risk, such as researchers who handle anthrax samples and Special Forces units, will be given the vaccine initially, he said.

“While we are still debating the details, what I think you will see in the end is, we will set aside a major part of what vaccine is available to be sure that we can protect the civil population of the United States,” Chu said.  “I don’t want to start any rumors here.  We’re not going to vaccinate the whole population” (Robert Burns, Associated Press/Philadelphia Inquirer, May 31).

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