Guard members to get anthrax vaccine

Fifty members of the Iowa Army National Guard will become the first in thestate to get shots for anthrax, before heading on a training missionoverseas. Some in the military have refused the shots, alleging they’reunsafe, but a Guard spokesman says the shots are required for the missionColonel Robert King says the members of the 185th Rear Operations Center,based in Jefferson, are slated to get the shots tomorrow. It’s part of thepreparation for their mission next year to Korea. King says the troopsmust be protected against anthrax, a potentially deadly disease.Anthrax can be easily produced & disbursed as a biological weapon. It cancause respiratory failure and death within a week. King says he’s been senton several missions overseas in his military career. He says every time he’sgone he’s had to take several vaccinations to make himself ready to go.Some fear there is a connection between anthrax vaccines and Gulf WarSyndrome and other health problems. Seven Air Guard members in Connecticutwere discharged earlier this year for refusing to get the anthrax shots. Asyet, NO Iowa Guard members have refused the shots.