Fed: Ritchie sends message to navy personnel
CANBERRA, Feb 14 AAP - The chief of the navy has sought to reassure sailors about theanthrax vaccine with a message to all under his command.
Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie has told sailors that the vaccine, which at least 11 sailorshave refused to take, was part of the navy's efforts to keep them safe while serving inthe Persian Gulf.
He said that people who feel they are being pressured into taking the vaccine shouldadvise their commanding officer.
But he has also warned that although refusal to take the vaccine will not affect theircareer, they will not have the chance to serve in the Gulf.
"Those who choose not to be vaccinated will not be able to be posted to units deployingto an area of operations for which anthrax vaccination is mandatory," he said.
"Such people will therefore not gain that type o operational experience."
His comments follow efforts by both Defence Minister Robert Hill and Australia's chiefhealth officer Richard Smallwood to reassure personnel that the anthrax vaccine is safe.
"As far as efficacy is concerned, it appears it's 90 per cent plus effective for allforms of anthrax," Professor Smallwood said.
"The literature on safety suggests it is a safe vaccine."
AAP sw/cjh/
KEYWORD: IRAQ VACCINE DAYLEAD
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