Shays urges amnesty for troops refusing anthrax vaccine

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(Hartford-AP, Jan. 16, 2005 1:40 PM) _ Congressman Christopher Shays says hundreds of military officials who refused to take an anthrax vaccine should be given amnesty.

The Connecticut Republican tells the Hartford Courant that he'll introduce legislation soon to correct the military records of anyone who was sanctioned for refusing the vaccine.

Since the vaccinations began six years ago, nearly 500 service members have refused the vaccine and more than 100 have been court-martialed, according to federal court documents.

Military anthrax vaccinations have been suspended since late October, when a federal judge found fault in the Food and Drug Administration's approval process.

Defense spokesman Jim Turner says service members who feel they have been wrongly punished can appeal to the Boards of Correction of Military Records.