UK armed forces responses to an informed consent policy for anthrax vaccination: a paradoxical effect?

作者信息

Murphy Dominic, Dandeker Christopher, Horn Oded, Hotopf Matthew, Hull Lisa, Jones Margaret, Marteau Theresa, Rona Roberto, Wessely Simon

机构信息

King's Centre for Military Health Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Weston Education Centre, Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RJ, United Kingdom.

出版信息

Vaccine. 2006 Apr 12;24(16):3109-14. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.01.043. Epub 2006 Feb 3.

DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.01.043

PMID:16504348

Abstract

BACKGROUND

In recognition of concerns that anthrax vaccination might be a trigger for "Gulf war syndrome", anthrax vaccinations were offered to UK armed forces in the 2003 Iraq conflict using explicit as opposed to implicit consent, as is the policy for all other vaccinations. This paper examines responses of personnel to this policy.

METHODS

Qualitative analysis of free text responses to a question inviting comments on any concerns about the anthrax vaccination, asked in the context of a questionnaire assessing military health amongst 1000 members of the UK armed forces following the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

RESULTS

Two hundred and two (20.2%) respondents made comments reflecting concerns about the vaccine's effectiveness and its safety. These appeared to be magnified by suspicions about the motives behind the informed consent policy for anthrax but not other vaccinations.