The Associated Press
By AMY FORLITI
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - At least a dozen Indiana Air National Guard pilots in Fort Wayne are
barred from flying for refusing an anthrax vaccination required for an upcoming mission
overseas, pilots say.
Members of the 122nd Fighter Wing, which is scheduled to be sent to the Middle East in
April, have until Sunday to begin the series of six shots. The vaccination program had
been voluntary until now.
"Everybody is worried about safety," said Capt. Bruce Everett, a commercial
pilot barred from flying for the Guard in January for refusing the vaccine. ``I don't know
if it's unsafe. All I know is that there hasn't been enough research to prove that it is
safe.''
The Pentagon has ordered all of its 2.4 million active and reserve personnel be inoculated
against anthrax, a deadly germ that can be used in biological warfare.
About 200 to 300 people have refused the vaccine so far, according to the Pentagon.
Several men and women have been prosecuted, and many reservists have quit because of the
shots.
Twelve pilots now barred from flying at Fort Wayne plan to resign or transfer to avoid
inoculation, said Everett, Lt. Col. Tom Heemstra and two other pilots who spoke on
condition of anonymity.
Lt. Col. Perry Collins, chief of staff of the 122nd Fighter Wing, confirmed only that some
pilots are not being allowed to fly. He said squadron commanders do not want to spend
money training the pilots until they decide to stay with the base.
The Guard said those who refuse to take the vaccine by Sunday's deadline will be
disobeying a written order and could face additional penalties, including discharge.
Copyright 2000 The Associated Press.