Information Paper
Anthrax Vaccine and the Gulf War

• This is not the first time the department has used this vaccine as a force protection measure. We know that the best treatment is to have immunity prior to exposure through vaccination, using the licensed vaccine.

• During the Gulf War we vaccinated about 150,000 U.S. military personnel who were serving in Gulf area.

• We also routinely vaccinate selected forces so they are better protected for immediate world wide deployment.

More information about Gulf War Illness: GulfLINK

• The Defense Department and medical experts do not believe the illnesses reported by some Gulf War veterans were the result of the vaccine given during the war.

• The Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses concluded that it is unlikely that health effects reported by Gulf War Veterans today are the result of exposure to the anthrax vaccine used alone or in combination with the botulinum toxoid vaccine.

• The Institute of Medicine considered the information on anthrax vaccine as well as other vaccines administer to military personnel and concluded: "We have no evidence that vaccines in general cause the non-specific complaints associated with service during Operation Desert Storm."

• It is widely believed in medical circles that the multiple vaccines given to all military personnel who served in the Gulf area are not the source of illnesses in some Gulf War veterans.

• The Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses said in its final report: "Individual vaccines can cause adverse effects, but several studies of the effects of giving multiple vaccinations at one time have found no adverse effects associated with the practice. Research on this issue continues, but based on available evidence, the Committee believes it is unlikely that multiple vaccines are responsible for illnesses reported today by Gulf War veterans."

• A number of other research projects have likewise concluded that most vaccines can be safely administered simultaneously.

• Studies have been conducted on special operations soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg who were initially vaccinated during the Gulf War. The soldiers were observed over a three day period after receiving a booster immunization with anthrax or anthrax and botulinum vaccines. There were no clinically significant reactions or lost duty time associated with the vaccinations.

• As with any vaccination, some people experience a mild local reaction to the anthrax vaccine. Such a reaction can be redness in the area of the immunization, muscle aches and even nausea.

More information about Gulf War Illness: GulfLINK