Soldier Refusing Anthrax Shot Guilty

Thursday, May 29, 2003
The Associated Press

Iwanowska, who is Polish and became an American citizen last year, told her superiors that she considered the shot medically dangerous to children she might have in the future, saying the long-term effects of the anthrax vaccine are unknown. As a Roman Catholic, she also cited religious reasons for refusing it.

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- AP
A military panel on Wednesday found an Army reservist guilty of disobeying an order for refusing to take the anthrax vaccine.

The panel of eight officers took only 40 minutes before returning a guilty verdict against Pvt. Kamila Iwanowska.

Iwanowska, 26, admitted in a court "stipulation of fact" that she refused to follow the verbal and written orders of her commanding officers. Army prosecutors read a statement to the panel and rested their case without calling any witnesses.

"Good order and discipline and following orders is essential in the United States Army," Capt. Wesley Rowley said in a brief opening statement.

Rowley said Iwanowska's signed statement was all the proof the panel needed for a conviction.
(More: Military.com)
http://www.military.com/NewsContent?file=FL_anthrax_052903&ESRC=army.nl
2003 © The Associated Press.

Dan