The U.S. has ordered 75 million additional doses of an experimental anthrax vaccine. The $700 million cost for the new vaccines is on top of over $200
million already spent on the project. The newly ordered doses, along with existing stocks are enough to vaccinate 9% of the U.S. population. This is
possibly a response to recent terrorist claims to send a "black wind of death" to the U.S.
Forbes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government has decided to order an additional 75 million doses of an experimental anthrax vaccine, enough to
inoculate 25 million people in case of a biological attack, The Washington Post reported on Friday
Brisbane, California-based biotechnology company VaxGen Inc. and unlisted British chemical specialty firm Avecia won contracts to make early
stockpiles of the vaccine and were likely to bid soon on larger contracts, the newspaper said. VaxGen announced in January that U.S. regulators would
review its experimental anthrax vaccine on an accelerated basis.
Anthrax filled letters were responsible for 5 deaths and 13 nonfatal cases of poisoning after September 11, 2001. The identity of the terrorist who
mailed these letters was never determined. The announcement of additional purchases comes after a message which was delivered after the bombings in
Spain claimed, "We announce the good news for the Muslims in the world that the strike of the black wind of death, the expected strike against
America, is now at its final stage -- 90 percent ready -- and it is coming soon, by God's will," Vaccination for anthrax has met with controversy in
the U.S. military, where some believe the vaccination has undesired side effects.
Related Articles:
Centers For Disease Control
Scotsman.com
Related ATS Discussions:
US military soldiers and vaccinations
Wind of black death
[Edited on 14-3-2004 by dbates]
