AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
Guardsman who refused anthrax vaccine discharged from Army.
2004 APR 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- An Ohio National Guardsman has been discharged from the Army for refusing another order to be vaccinated against anthrax, this time while in Kuwait.
Specialist Kurt Hickman, 20, of Granville, arrived in Kuwait on February 11. He was ordered to take the vaccine 2 days later.
When he refused, he was escorted back to Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana, on February 25. He stayed there until he was discharged on March 28, 2004, Guard spokesman James Sims said.
Troops going to high-risk areas for more than 15 days have been required to be vaccinated since 1999 to protect them against biological weapons.
Hickman's attorney, Kenneth Levine, said Hickman always wanted to serve his country, but didn't want to expose himself to what he considers to be a dangerous vaccine.
Hickman's discharge notes that he received four medals during his service.
Sims said the Army gave Hickman an honorable discharge and demoted him from specialist to private. He likely will receive a similar discharge from the National Guard, Sims said.
Source: HighBeam Research, Guardsman who refused anthrax vaccine discharged from Army.