Dr. Burrow’s Expertise?

actual e-mails complete with Source Data

Traci Yrok

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Response number 1. from Dr. Burrows:

From: "Gerard N. Burrow"

Subject: Re: Human Anthrax Vaccine

To: Rob & Traci York

__________________________________________

Letter number 2. from Traci to Dr. Burrows

Dr. Burrow:

I am referring to a letter that was written by you Feb. 19, 1998 to The

Honorable Rudy de Leon, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and

Readiness. In your letter "The study entitled... In this letter you answered questions regarding this study. "Effectiveness of Medical Defense Interventions Against Predicted Battlefield Levels of Bacillus Anthracis." Dr. Burrow, where can I find his study? Also you stated "The FDA directed MBPI to do a comprehensive review to demonstrate that deviations in biologic product lines did not impact anthrax vaccine quality and integrity. These results of this review should be available in the

near future." Can you tell me how to obtain a copy of this report as well? Just a note, you also stated "Each military service has the responsibility to develop in-service, a unique plan to ensure detailed information concerning the vaccination program reaches each service member." This has NOT been adequetly done. Men and women all over the armed forces are either being told wrong information about the vaccine or being told

nothing at all!!
Please Dr. Burrow, I am simply trying to find all the information I can on this vaccine. I am concerned about the future health of not only my husband, but my fellow Americans. There is a huge break down in the system. The DoD is saying one thing while the "one" study and anthrax vaccine package lable says another. I appreciate any information you can afford.
Thank You,

Traci York

____________________________________

Response number 2. from Dr. Burrows:

From: "Gerard N. Burrow"

Subject: Re: Human Anthrax Vaccine
Gerard N. Burrow wrote:
I would guess DOD could give you a copy of the letter. I have never seen the second report
__________________________________________

Letter number 3. from Traci to Dr. Burrows

Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 13:04:05 -0600

From: Rob & Traci York

To: gerard.burrow@yale.edu

Dr. Burrow:
I guess I am not making myself clear as to what I am asking for. I don’t need a copy of "the letter,” I have one. I need the copy of the initial study "Effectiveness of Medical Defense Interventions Against Predicted Battlefield Levels of Bacillus Anthracis" that you in fact answered questions on for The Honorable Rudy de Leon, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Is there a number where I can reach you for further inquires?
Thank you,

Traci York

____________________________________________________

At last in frustration, Traci York tries to phone Dr.

Burrows. Traci had this to say about that attempted contact:
"You wouldn't believe!!!!!!! I did not receive an email response from him

on my last inquiry, so I decided to call his office!

*** "Dr. Burrow has no further comment on the anthrax vaccine."

________________________________________________________________________

NOTE:

Update of Defense Department's on-going Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program

DoD News Briefing Friday, August 14, 1998 - 2:00 p.m. (EDT)

Presenter: ASD Dr. Sue Bailey and Rear Adm. Michael L. Cowan

Update of Defense Department's on-going Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program
QUOTE: Dr. Sue Bailey (the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs)
".......Dr. Gerard N. Burrow, Special Advisor for Health Affairs for the President of Yale University, conducted an independent review of the health and medical aspects of the department's anthrax vaccine immunization program. Dr. Burrow completed reporting on his review on the safety and efficacy in February of '98. A copy of Dr. Burrow's report can be obtained from the DoD web site......."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

***Interesting, Dr. Gerard N. Burrow has no comment, but he can allow his

name and that of Yale to be attached by DoD to the vaccine in what appears to be a letter solicited solely for the purpose of having the name of Yale rub off on the vaccine program. What kind of a review did he give the program, if he didn't even take the time to read the study!?
Rather than address military vaccines, perhaps the information below suggests what he is qualified to do "An endocrinologist, Dr. Burrow has done extensive research on the thyroid; his clinical interests have centered on thyroid disease in pregnant women. This summer Dr. Burrow also became senior adviser to the World Health Organization's Programme on Maternal and Newborn Health/Safe Motherhood" info located here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20000310050246/http://www.yale.edu/opa/ybc/v26.n2.news.01.html
Also see the actual e-mails complete with Source Data
Note:

Unlike the first Dr. Burrow letter to the DOD in the spring of 1998 approving the AVIP, the latest is not available on the DOD website. Specifically, please note the last sentence in 3rd paragraph.

Dr. Burrow's first letter is at: http://www.dallasnw.quik.com/cyberella/Anthrax/burrows.htm

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LETTERHEAD - YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

GERARD N. BURROW, MD

SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HEALTH AFFAIRS

DAVID PAGE SMITH PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE

PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Via Federal Express

April 26, 1999

Congressman Christopher Shays

United States House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Shays:

Mr. Larry Halloran called me about testifying before the Subcommittee on National Security Veterans Affairs and International Relations on Thursday, April 29, 1999 about the report I sent the Secretary of Defense on my general review of the Anthrax vaccination program.

As I told Mr. Halloran, I have an unavoidable schedule that day. Thursday is the day I see patients and I am fully booked and no available appointments for a month. I am reluctant to cancel my patients as it would impose a hardship on them. I hope that this letter will suffice as a statement on the issues being addressed the [sic] Subcommittee.

Unfortunately, I do not believe I can make a significant contribution to the work of your Committee. I chaired the Institute of Medicine Committee that reviewed the Defense Department program for clinical care of Gulf War veterans in active service and interacted with personnel in the Office of Health Affairs. The Defense Department was looking for some [sic] to review the program in general and make suggestions, and I accepted out of patriotism. I was very clear that I had no expertise in Anthrax and they were very clear they were looking for a general oversight of the vaccination program.

I visited the Pentagon on a number of occasions, talked with a variety of people in and out of government and presented my report which you have to the Secretary on March 2, 1998. I had no access to classified information. The suggestions I made were to utilize focus groups to be sure the message they wanted to send to force personnel was being heard, and to use the vaccination tracking system as a reminder for subsequent vaccinations. I had no further contact after delivering my report and do not know whether my suggestions were implemented.

I hope these comments are helpful to the Subcommittee's inquiry.

Sincerely,

/SIGNED/