POTENTIAL LOSS OF ANTHRAX AND BOTULINUM VACCINES

File: 123096_sep96_decls6_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 2

Subject: POTENTIAL LOSS OF ANTHRAX AND BOTULINUM VACCINES                

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003201

Folder Title: POTENTIAL LOSS OF ANTHRAX AND BOTULINUM VACCINES                                                

Document Number:       1001

Folder Seq  #:         42



                                  UNCLASSIFIED





                                                               DASG-HCD
                                                              24 May 91

                                    INFORMATION PAPER



         SUBJECT: Potential Loss of Anthrax and Botulinum Vaccines and
         Botulinum Antitoxin in Saudi Arabia (SA) @


         1. (U) Purpose. To provide information on circumstances of
         potential loss of biological warfare vaccines and antitoxin.

         2. (U) Facts.

             a. I* In   Apr 91, remaining stocks of anthrax and botulinum
         vaccines and botulinum antitoxin were being stored at the 47th
         MEDSOM in SA. These products were kept under refrigeration,
         40-420 F. The refrigeration unit was checked daily by the
         pharmacist at the MEDSOM and/or a member of the Vaccination Team to
         ensure temperature was maintained. No temperature log was kept.

             b. (U) On 16 Apr 91, the refrigeration temperature was checked
         at 1500 hrs and found to be within acceptable limits. Then on
         17 Apr 91 at 0900 hrs, the refrigeration temperature was found to
         I;e at 660 F. The diesel engine which ran the refrigeration unit
         had shut down. The diesel engine indicator light revealed that the
         oil level was low, the engine had shut-off to avoid an engine burn
         up. Oil was added to the engine, and the engine immediately
         started and refrigeration was reestablished.
             c.  @ Outside temperature at that time was around 850F.
         Most of the refrigerated products were in their original shipping
         containers with the cold packs. It is estimated that although the
         temperature inside the refrigerator was 660F, the vaccine
         temperature may well have been below 660F. These products may be
         good but will not be administered to personnel until tested and
         approval for human use provided by the Food and Drug
    Administration. Currently, the testing schedule for anthrax and
         botulinum vaccines is dedicated to new vaccines produced at
         Michigan Department of Public Health. The anthrax vaccine brought
         back from the 47th MEDSOM will not be tested unless there is an
         emergency requirement for them. This anthrax vaccine will be
         destroyed after their expiration date (Jan 92). The botulinum
         vaccine and botulinum antitoxin are investigational new drug
         products and will be kept and tested at the first opportunity to
         determine their safety and potency.


                       MAJ Robert Eng, 756-8163/Ms. Francoise, 756-8077

         CLASSIFIED BY: DASG-HCZ
         DECLASSIFY ON: OADR        UNCLASSIFIED
                                     iC!rPr)[:3:
                                    @LIUI VL l@

Document 2 f:/Week-36/BX003201/POTENTIAL LOSS OF ANTHRAX AND BOTULINUM VACCINES/potential loss of anthrax and botulinum vaccines:1217960927517
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003201
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = POTENTIAL LOSS OF ANTHRAX AND BOTULINUM VACCINES
Folder Seq # = 42
Subject = POTENTIAL LOSS OF ANTHRAX AND BOTULINUM VACCINES
Document Seq # = 1001
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996