The (Israeli) Defense Ministry has recognized a former soldier who participated in the army's experiments on an anthrax vaccine as a disabled veteran after he developed Crohn's disease. For two years, it denied similar recognition to another veteran who has the same disease, which causes severe bowel infection (sic), and participated in the same experiments, until a court overruled that decision last month. The ministry said the cases differed, as the first soldier contracted the disease during the experiment and the second only three years later. Altogether, 716 soldiers took part in the trials from 1998-2006, and many later said they were pressured to "volunteer." Many have also since developed medical problems.Well guess what? US recipients of anthrax vaccine also have statistically significant raised rates of Crohn's disease, according to Defense Medical Surveillance System data provided to the Institute of Medicine in 2001. Is anyone surprised? Yet every US soldier being deployed still receives multiple anthrax vaccinations (the initial course is 5 doses over 18 months). The original excuse was that Saddam might use anthrax (we gave him some: strain Vollum 1B) on our troops. Saddam is gone, but the combination of inertia, and a vaccine manufacturer that knows how to grease palms, continues to disable vulnerable members of the US military.
This blog began in 2007, focusing on anthrax vaccine, and later expanded to other public health and political issues. The blog links to media reports, medical literature, official documents and other materials.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Anthrax vaccine recipients in Israel developing Crohn's Disease/ Haarretz
From Haaretz:
My name is Jason Howlett. I was in the navy and was given this manditory series of vaconations. In 2004 I was diagnosed with chrons and discharged. If you have any more information about my rights for compensation for this please let me know. Howlettjc2000@me.com
ReplyDeleteI was ordered to also get the Anthrax vaccine 3 times and 3 years later I have crohns disease.
DeleteMy husband was also deployed to the Gulf area during the Gulf War. He was there from 1990-1991, and also received multiple vaccines. He has since developed asthma and Crohn's Disease. We first filed for compensation in 1997, but were denied, and never followed up on an appeal. We have recently re-started the process of applying for disability compensation, but feel like we are beating our heads against a brick wall. There is absolutely no family history of ashtma or Crohn's disease, but the VA keeps dragging their feet and forcing us to jump through hoops and over hurdles to continue the process. I personally believe they want us to just give up. Any information you can give us would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMy name is John. I was in the British Army at the time of the first gulf war. Although I was deployed in the end, my unit was 'mobilised' and therefore I was a load of injections and told not to worry! Within three months I had lost 40lbs and diagnosed with Crohns. I am now left with an ileostomy for life and I had to leave the army before that. At the time I was just shouted down by senior ranks but 20 years on it seems I may have a case. I would be interested to find out if you got anywhere with your claim. My e-mail is groundrush@hotmail.co.uk
ReplyDeleteThank you
John
I received the Anthrax vaccine in 2005, and had symptoms showing in 2006, but wasn't diagnosed with Crohn's till 2012. I would like more information on this as now I am getting discharged out of the military due to Crohn's. Feel free to email at: baxendell@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMe too this is so crazy!!
DeleteJason Howlett here again. Since my last post it spread to my small bowel. I've lost most of my small intestine and live in constant debilitating pain. I'm awaiting a liver transplant and dealing with PSC from the Crohn's. This isn't right. And my shots were given over a less than two month time span. Day to day life has become hell. If anyone hears anything please contact me. 360-632-0313
ReplyDeleteI do know how you feel. I have an obstruction once a week, every week and I cant eat for 3 days until my obstruction is over. Its crazy to see so many other people dealing withcthe pain I deal with every day. Weird note. After I got covid 19 I didnt have an obstruction for over a month till this week. I filed for va disability so we shall see what happens
DeleteHere are some ideas for treating Crohn's Disease, designed to a) improve gut function and b) reduce inflammation in general.
ReplyDeleteI am sure all with severe Crohn's have received steroids. Herbs are also antiinflammatory, especially curcumin and ginger. Fish oil is antiinflammatory. All 3 have multiple beneficial effects on your body.
To treat the gut directly, there is glutamine, a totally safe amino acid that may actually help lengthen a small intestine that has been shortened by surgery, based on research by a Harvard surgeon whose name I have forgotten.
A good probiotic is helpful. And a diet that avoids inflammatory foods, stays very clean, mostly vegetables, and only the best fats and oils, should be consumed.
Meryl
My name is Scott and I was an Army tanker for fifteen years. During my time in service I received over thirty vaccinations five of them being Anthrax. I had a severe reaction to the first shot. I lost sensation to my arms and legs and was put on a stretcher and taken to an observation area where after losing feeling to my trunk I started to regain sensation. This was witnessed by my entire unit. My entire unit paid little attention because every single one of us felt like a hornet had stung our arms, an affect which was delayed and took about one minute to set in. I now have more autoimmune disorders than I can name with all of them overlapping in symptoms. My biggest problem is degenerating disc disease and the disc replacement between C6-5 as a result thereof. But this is actually a small issue compared to others I will not talk about. The bottom line is I feel betrayed by the Army, but more importantly, I feel betrayed by Americans. It is obvious to anyone who looks at the Anthrax vaccine use in the military that this vaccine is now killing a lot of people. I want my fellow Americans who do not suffer in such a way to show some courage and stand up for those who have stood up for you. And I hold physicians responsible who are unwilling to step out and say that their military has been mistreated.
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease after serving operation Iraqi freedom & operation enduring freedom in which we were forced to take the anthrax vaccine!!
ReplyDeleteIn the Institute of Medicine study of anthrax vaccine, mandated by Congress in 2000 and published in 2002, ttled "Anthrax vaccine: is it safe? does it work?", table G-3, you will find that regional enteritis occured much more often in those receiving anthrax vaccine.
ReplyDeleteThis report can be found online. The table is in appendix G.
Regional is simply another name for Crohn's disease.
Meryl Nass, MD