YourSpine.com - Chiropractic - Military Reservists are Leaving Service to Avoid Anthrax Vaccine

Military Reservists are Leaving Service to Avoid Anthrax Vaccine

A September, 2000 Congressional Study reported to the House Government Reform Committee finds that pilots and other aircrew are leaving National Guard and Reserve Units because they are concerned that the anthrax vaccine the pentagon requires them to take is dangerous.

Commercial pilot Tom Heemstra, who is a former reservist testified that he estimated that 2100 pilots from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve would be lost if the vaccination program continued. He went on to provide coded names of more than 200 that have already resigned from several bases around the country because of the program. According to Heemstra, pentagon officers "coerced, intimidated, threatened and punished in order to enforce this program."

The 200 name list is somewhat at odds with prior pentagon testimony. Maj. Gen. Paul A. Weaver, Jr., Director of the Air National Guard, previously testified that only one reservist had refused the vaccine. The latest disclosure prompted committee chairman Dan Burton (R-Indiana) to suggest that Gen. Weaver should face court-martial for lying to congress.

Burton went on to say that "the defense department has insulted the honor and integrity of anyone who has dared question the anthrax vaccine program."

Change Zip Code Close