Monday, February 07, 2000
Major: Anthrax vaccine a hazard
NKU grad's refusal is controversial
BY SUSAN VELA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Air Force Maj. Sonnie Bates is a 1986 Northern Kentucky University graduate and the highest-ranking military official to refuse the controversial anthrax vaccine.
Since 1970, veterinarians and livestock handlers have been vaccinated against the highly lethal bacterium that normally afflicts animals. Because several countries are suspected of turning anthrax into a biological warfare weapon, Defense Secretary William Cohen announced three years ago that 2.4 million service members, including the guard and reserves, would be vaccinated by 2005.
More than 380,000 service members have started the six-shot regime. More than 200 have refused the vaccination including Maj. Bates, who faces a court-martial and five years in prison, and five members of a Blue Ash National Guard unit, who were recently discharged. The highly decorated pilot refused a telephone interview.
But in a series of e-mail exchanges, Maj. Bates, now stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, explained why he is supporting House Resolution 2548, which would suspend the Defense Department's anthrax vaccination program, and why he is taking this stand at the risk of spending five years away from his wife, Roxane, formerly of Walton, and their three children — Dallas, 17, Candis, 13, and Seth, 7.
Question: Do you have any fond memories of being an NKU student?
Answer: NKU is a great university. All my memories ... are good. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go to NKU.
Q: How often do you return to Kentucky?
A: Not enough. I would like to visit more than I do.
Q: Do you ever miss Kentucky?
A: All the time. You can take the boy out of Kentucky, but you can't take the Kentucky out of the boy. I listen to Ricky Skaggs CDs all the time. He's one of my favorite artists.
Q: Did you always want to enter the Air Force?
A: Yes. Since I was very young, about 3 years old. I always wanted to be an Air Force pilot. It was my calling. Three months after graduation, I was on my way to pilot training.
Q: You're a highly decorated pilot. Could you share some of your accomplishments?
A: I'm not good at bragging. But I'll give it a try. I was selected as top instructor in (many) squadrons. I earned two Meritorious Service medals, two Commendation medals (and) one Achievement medal. I was awarded the Air Education and Training Command's “Aircrew Safety Award of Distinction'' ... for recovering a plane with elec trical failure in adverse weather conditions. I was selected to command the Department of Defense's largest air freight operation ... at Dover AFB from November, 1995, to December, 1996. Our ... operation was selected as best in air mobility command for calendar year 1996. I was promoted to major in April 1998.
Q: When you moved to Dover in August, did you know you would be vaccinated for anthrax?
A: When I received orders to go to Dover AFB, I was aware that the anthrax vaccine might be required. I did not have any concerns about the anthrax vaccine until after I witnessed the sickness at Dover AFB.
Q: When and why did you first think of refusing the vaccine?
A: I am surrounded by the ill. Five percent of my squadron and numerous others at this base and across the country have experienced significant and serious health problems following the vaccine. If I lose my health, then I cannot protect and defend America or my family.
My primary concern is for my health. I can only conclude that the vaccine poses an undue risk. This is based on the numerous unusual illnesses at my unit following the vaccine, the inability of the medical community to explain these illnesses, and the lack of scientific evidence to show this vaccine is safe in the long term.
If I sustain the health problems that my colleagues are suffering from, it would greatly diminish my ability to care for my wife and three children including the special needs of my autistic son. It could also prevent me from being an effective and safe pilot.
Q: Why continue to disobey orders when defense officials say the vaccine will protect you in biological warfare?
A: It is my duty to challenge things that are wrong. This order is not to charge a hill or to wear a helmet. It is a demand for me to accept questionable medical treatment.
I have volunteered to give my life for this country if need be, including fighting and dying on foreign soil for a cause I may not understand. However, to willingly sacrifice my health, especially in peacetime, to such a questionable drug ... is simply not reasonable.
Q: What kind of support have you had? How have your family and fellow Air Force members reacted to your stance?
A: (I've received) great support from family, friends, service members abroad and veterans from previous wars including World War II. We get letters, e-mails and phone calls every day.
Q: Why continue your stance when you are risking five years in prison? Is that the worst case scenar io?
A: The worst case scenario is taking the shot and losing my health. If I lose my health, I can no longer defend this country, nor can I provide (for) and protect my family.
Q: What will happen to your family? Do they comprehend the significance of what you are doing? What are their concerns?
A: They will do whatever it takes to not only survive but to succeed, with integrity and dignity. My wife and kids are tough. They are more than resilient. They are conquerors. We have talked about it quite a bit. Their concerns remain unspoken because we leave it in God's hands. I pray every day for a solution to this travesty.
Q: What do you think of that possible five-year sentence? Do you consider it harsh?
A: It is totally inappropriate. People across this country have been discharged with honorable conditions over this issue. I am being made an example of because of my rank and for speaking my concerns before Congress, which I was asked by Congress to do.
This is a medical issue, and we service members have the right to decline medical treatment. It is not a crime. It is not an order to charge the hill. It is an order to allow your blood, which I consider sacred since I am a creation of God, to be contaminated with a controversial and unsafe drug. I am willing to die for this country, but I will not willingly accept friendly fire to take me out.
Q: How would you feel about being discharged from the service instead of being imprisoned? Is that even a possibility?
A: It is an avenue the Air Force — for whatever reason — has not pursued. I requested to resign after 13.5 years of exemplary service over this issue. I only had 6.5 years to go to draw an immediate and substantial pension.
Q: How will you look back on this 10 or 20 years from now? Would you like to still be in the Air Force?
A: I would like to continue to serve in the Air Force. The Air Force is a big part of my life. It is a shame that a flawed government contract had to end my serving the best Air Force in the world.
Q: Do you think anthrax vaccines are even necessary?
A: It's not my place to question the necessity of this vaccine. That's not my job. However ... it does appear to me that this vaccine is linked to serious widespread illnesses, also known as Gulf War Illness.
Q: Is there a better way defense officials could handle the vaccinations — perhaps make them voluntary?
A: Yes. First, halt the program. Also, destroy the stockpile. It is way outdated. Also, there is a credible concern over the origins of some of the vaccine in the stockpile.
Q: About two weeks ago, five members of a Cincinnati-area National Guard unit were discharged from service because they refused anthrax vaccines. Are we going to see more refusals in the future? Will the vaccines actually catch on?
A: People will continue to refuse this vaccine as long as the controversy continues over the illnesses.
Q: How has this ordeal been for you? Do you have any regrets?
A: Of course, this is a terrible time. But I feel good about what I am doing. If my actions lead to any improvements in this program, then my sacrifice will have been worth it. No regrets!
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to say?
A: Tell everyone to call their congressman or congresswoman to support House Resolution 2548.
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