Federal Court Orders FDA to Review Its Approval of Anthrax Vaccine

WASHINGTON - A federal judge vacated the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval for an anthrax vaccine, saying the FDA failed to allow for adequate public comment. Doe v. Rumsfeld, No. 03-707 [EGS]. (D. D.C.).

The 41-page ruling by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia came on a request for injunctive relief by six members of the U.S. military or civilian defense contractors who object to the forced vaccination with what they contend is an experimental anthrax vaccine.

The FDA began its investigation of an anthrax vaccine in 1973, convening a scientific …