Double Dosing Anthrax and Bad Science

From the Nando Times comes an article titled, “25 ROTC cadets issued near double-dose of anthrax vaccine.”

According to the article, “twenty-five ROTC cadets at an Army training camp were given nearly double the proper dose of the anthrax vaccine, Army officials said Monday.”

According to the report, the higher doses given were based on a “communications error” and the medical center stated that “there are few side effects associated with receiving a higher dose of the vaccine, other than soreness in the arm where the shot was administered.”

According to the article, after receiving the near double doses, the cadets were given Tylenol and Benadryl “to ease any discomfort.”

Let’s take a look at some of the science here. Someone is given a double dose of a vaccine but its not really of any concern. What if they were given half the dose? Four times the dose?

And then there’s the acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine HCl added to the mix. Your insides might be melting but you won’t ache and your nose won’t run. They probably classified the procedure as Dbl. AX w/T&B treatment.

Probably the most interesting point made in the article was the statement that “Federal officials have repeatedly said the vaccine is safe.”

Here is the Nando Times Link: 25 ROTC cadets issued near double-dose of anthrax vaccine