§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has carried out on the health effects of anti-anthrax vaccines given to military personnel and medical auxiliaries involved in(a) Operation Granby in the Gulf War against Iraq in 1991 and (b) Operation Telic in Iraq in 2003. [160856]
§ Mr. CaplinNo research has been carried out specifically on the possible adverse health effects of the anthrax vaccine given to personnel involved in Operation Granby or Operation Telic.
However, the results of a research project on the safety of the anthrax vaccine in randomly selected military personnel due to he deployed on Operation Bolton were published in the journal. "Vaccine", in 2003 (Vaccine vol.21 2003 pp 1348–13 54). The study was funded by the Ministry of Defence, but the MOD had no editorial input into its conduct, methodology, or findings. No serious side effects were observed, and the study concluded that the modest incidence of side effects supported the stance that the anthrax vaccination is safe.