March 6, 2002
William Winkenwerder, Jr., MD, assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, recognized the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, “The Anthrax Vaccine, Is It Safe? Does It Work?”, released today, as the most extensive review ever conducted of the science underlying anthrax vaccine. He called the report “very good news for Service Members.”
“This peer-reviewed report represents the most comprehensive collection of scientific evidence for the safety and effectiveness of anthrax vaccine ever assembled in one volume,” said Winkenwerder. “It offers confirmation that the Department uses a protective measure that works for those at risk of exposure to the lethal agent anthrax.”
The comprehensive report examined the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, evaluated the manufacturing processes, and discussed the future needs of the anthrax vaccine. In conducting this review, the IOM invited oral and written testimony from concerned service members and others who have expressed reservations with the vaccine. They examined case reports all available epidemiologic studies and listened to investigators who had completed or have research underway. Releasing its report on March 6, 2002, the committee stated that anthrax vaccine is “an effective vaccine for the protection of humans against anthrax, including inhalational anthrax, caused by all known or plausible engineered strains of B. anthracis.”
At the request of the Department of Defense, the Institute of Medicine convened the Committee to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of the Anthrax Vaccine in October 2000 to prepare this Congressionally mandated report.
The full text of the report, entitled “The Anthrax Vaccine: Is it Safe? Does it Work?” is available at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10310.html.
The mission of the Institute of Medicine (IOM, www.iom.edu) is to advance and disseminate scientific knowledge to improve human health. The Institute provides objective, timely, authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to government, the corporate sector, the professions and the public.
The National Academy of Sciences (www.nas.edu) was established by Congress more than a century ago to provide scientific and technological advice to the nation. Over the years, the Academy has evolved to incorporate four distinguished organizations--the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council. The National Academies perform an unparalleled public service by bringing together experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavor. These experts serve as volunteers to address critical national issues and give unbiased advice to the federal government and the public.
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