RE: ANTHRAX AND BOTULINUM TOXOID VACCINES Before U.S. troops
deployed to the Gulf region, they received a standard series of
inoculations against infectious diseases-e.g., cholera, typhoid,
tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles-that might be given to
any U.S. citizen traveling to these regions. After arriving in
the Gulf War region, some U.S. service members received two
additional vaccines for protection against the BW agents anthrax
and botulinum toxin. In 1970, FDA licensed anthrax vaccine to
protect civilian workers against possible infection by anthrax
bacteria. Since 1967 and before the Gulf War, more than 20,000
inoculations had been routinely administered to at-risk
populations, including laboratory personnel who work with the
bacteria that causes anthrax, persons in industries that work
with animal hides and wool (which can be a source of anthrax
infection), and veterinarians who come in contact with anthrax-
infected animals. Although active long-term safety surveillance
is not generally part of th