18 May 1999

MEMORANDUM FOR AFLSA/JASD

FROM: HQ USAF/JA

1420 Air Force Pentagon

Washington DC 20330-1420

Subject: Anthrax Web Sites

One of the most important safety issues facing our troops today is the threatened use of biological weapons by international entities and terrorist groups. To combat this threat, DoD established the anthrax vaccination program, which the Air Force and the other Services are now implementing. Because the program is a significant force protection measure, participation in the program is mandatory.

A small number of military members have refused to follow their commander's direct order to take the vaccine. The primary reason the members refuse the shot is fear of the vaccine based on safety concerns. These members often act upon misinformation obtained from web sites set up by special interest groups on the Internet. Although DoD and each of the Services have established web sites to relay accurate information, insecure members may not trust the information posted on these official military sites.

I believe it is important that our circuit and area defense counsel have a balanced understanding of the issue. In that regard, there is a wealth of accurate anthrax information on the Internet. This information is found not only on the DoD web sites, but also on sites established by other Government agencies and prominent educational and medical institutions. A list of some of those web sites is attached. I hope you will disseminate this information throughout the defense community to help counsel, and their clients, understand that the anthrax threat is real and the vaccine is safe.

Attachment

List of Anthrax Sites

cc:

AFLSA/CC

AFLSA/JAJ