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

Vaccine
Dominic MurphySimon Wessely

Abstract

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. 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. 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. While the informed consent policy for anthrax vaccinations was intended to decrease concern, it may inadvertently have had the opposite effect.

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Citations

Jul 1, 2011·International Journal of Epidemiology·Richard J PinderSimon Wessely
Sep 18, 2008·Biosecurity and Bioterrorism : Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science·Dominic MurphySimon Wessely
Jul 30, 2008·The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy·Jessica Wolfendale, Steve Clarke
Apr 8, 2009·Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·Dominic MurphyDuncan Bland

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