Congress of the United States

Washington, DC

May 31, 2000

The Honorable William S. Cohen

Secretary of Defense

The Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1010

Dear Secretary Cohen:

On May 16, thirty-five members of the House of Representatives sent you a letter requesting An immediate halt to the Anthrax Vaccination Immunization Program. Within seven hours of the letter's delivery to your office, Acting Secretary of Defense Charles L. Cragin responded with an inadequate, inappropriate reply. It simply chose to ignore most of the facts contained in our letter.

An example presented in Mr. Cragin's letter is found in his rebuttal to the quote from the American Public Health Association (APHA). He recites a text while avoiding the point of our letter: the American Public Health Association policy statement urges the Department of Defense to "delay any further immunization against anthrax using the current vaccine, or at least make such immunizations voluntary, until a panel of public health experts reviews the evidence for the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine." Mr. Cragin's response does not accurately address the official position of the APHA, one of the most respected health associations in the country. The attached letter to Congressman Jack Metcalf from APHA reiterates their policy and explains that their statement, "is based upon the controversy in the medical literature about the efficacy of the vaccine; the lack of valid monitoring of its potential adverse effects; and the stance taken by the United Kingdom and other allies that the receipt of the vaccine remain voluntary among their troops."

Congress is more than "well-intended" as Mr. Cragin's letter states. Its firm commitment to our warfighting men and women should never be questioned. No one doubts the threat of anthrax as a deadly biological warfare agent. The Government Reform Committee recommendations referenced in our letter clearly state that the goal is force protection with the use of an improved vaccine.

You must no longer dismiss the preponderance of evidence which demonstrates significant problems with the current vaccine, and it impact on morale, retention and recruitment. Mr. Secretary, please personally respond to our letter dated May 16, 2000, fully and fairly addressing the facts presented. Our service members deserve a better vaccine, and a better vaccination program.

Sincerely,

/s/ /s/ /s/