WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Washington Wednesday largely struck down the U.S. military's involuntary vaccinations for weaponized anthrax.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said the program could not be administered unless individual service members give "informed consent" to the vaccinations or President George Bush issues a specific waiver.
A 1999 executive order by then President Bill Clinton required "informed consent" before administering the vaccine.
An advisory panel found the vaccine safe for contact exposure to anthrax in certain industries, but did not find it effective for breathing exposure, such as in weaponized anthrax.
Six unnamed members of the active duty forces or National Guard filed suit against the forced vaccinations, saying they were subject to military discipline if they refused.
The Food and Drug Administration had entered the case and asked the judge to rule the FDA's determination that the vaccine was effective, regardless of exposure, "is not arbitrary or capricious."
The judge rejected both the Pentagon and the FDA arguments.
