Interview - Dr Kerryn Phelps, AMA President, Radio National AM program - Anthrax

COMPERE: There appears to be growing dissent in the ranks of the Australian Defence Force today with reports emerging that dozens more of our troops are refusing the Anthrax vaccine being given to Forces serving in the Gulf.

According to un-named sources within the ADF, 40 more Defence personnel have joined the original 11 individuals who are refusing to take the vaccine due to health concerns. Still more are now reportedly objecting to taking follow-up injections of the vaccine until their concerns are satisfied.

Faced with dissent in the ranks, the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, has been forced into the highly unusual step of delivering a message to all serving Australian Navy personnel.'

But now Australia's peak medical lobby group, the Australian Medical Association has sided with those expressing concern about the Anthrax vaccine. Jo Mazzocchi reports that Vice Admiral Ritchie has also publicly rebuked the young sailor who told the media of his concerns abut taking the Anthrax vaccine.

REPORTER: The Chief of the Navy rebuked the young sailor Able Seaman Simon Bond, who sparked this controversy by saying, 'The types of breaches that have occurred in the last 24 hours create far greater upset for families of our people than they are of any help to either individuals or your mates.'

But judging by the depth of public confusion over this issue, some might disagree claiming Able Seaman Bond has in fact done them a favour.

The Australian Medical Association says the sailor has acted as a catalyst on the issue. AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps.

PHELPS: Look, I think that raising issues and speaking about the concerns that his colleagues have is not really causing any harm. I mean, if what this does is act as a catalyst for the Defence Forces to release the information that they have about safety and efficacy, then I think it will have done a power of good.

REPORTER: Today in Sydney there are more farewells for the final deployment of Defence personnel to the Gulf. It's now believed the vaccinations are being carried out before they leave, but Defence sources are refusing to confirm that.

In his message the Vice Admiral also stressed that the Anthrax vaccine is safe, saying it's been very widely used with no greater incidence or side effects or risk of complications than those associated with any other vaccine. And that's a view shared by Australia's Chief Medical Health Officer, Professor Richard Smallwood, who says the vaccine is regarded as safe and effective. But Kerryn Phelps is not convinced.

PHELPS: I don't think we have enough data in the medical press, certainly in the peer reviewed medical journals, that would convince medical practitioners in Australia of the safety and efficacy of this vaccine. The truth is sometimes difficult, and I'm not in the business of propaganda. What I'm about is to express what I believe is the medical profession's point of view is on this particular incident.

REPORTER: So there's no clear cut, definitive study either way?

PHELPS: Not that the peer reviewed medical literature has available to it.

REPORTER: When the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, sends out a message and says the vaccine is safe and effective, what's your response to that?

PHELPS: If they have that data, the medical profession in Australia would very much like to see it.

COMPERE: AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, speaking to our reporter, Jo Mazzocchi.

Ends