Smallpox vaccine may have caused illness
Updated: 2/11/2003 12:01:51 PM
By: Debbie Tanna & Web Staff
A Fayetteville man is returning home after becoming sick while on military
assignment in Kuwait.
Doctors believe Johnny Andrews' near-death experience may have been caused
by a reaction to a smallpox vaccine.
Johnny Andrews, Jr., 20, is assigned to the Third Infantry Division at Fort
Stewart, Georgia. Andrews became sick and lost consciousness hours after
arriving in Kuwait last month. He was transported to a hospital in Germany.
Doctors believe his near-death experience may have been caused by a reaction
to a smallpox vaccine.
Kathy Andrews said her son always dreamed of serving his country. She had
faith her son would come home safely but she never dreamed he would come
home sick.
“I got a call from the XO telling me to get prepared for a call from a
doctor,” Kathy said. “My son was in critical condition, that he was on life
support and that he was on a ventilator.”
Andrews collapsed hours after arriving on Kuwaiti soil. Doctors believe he
may have suffered a severe reaction to the smallpox vaccine.
“He had a severe headache and a high fever,” Kathy said. “He was incoherent
and they had to rush him to the Kuwait City hospital.”
Andrews was unconscious for the next 72 hours.
“I was told he probably should not have taken that shot,” Kathy said.
Many soldiers have concerns about the smallpox vaccine so the Army's made
available a brochure and on the inside is information about the vaccine and
some of the reactions associated with it.
According to the Army, some experience reactions from the vaccines. Some of
the reactions are lethal. However, the Army has yet to confirm Johnny’s
illness is related to his vaccination.
“They ruled out meningitis and encephalitis, but of course, they're not just
going to come out and say exactly what it is,” Kathy said.
Johnny is recovering and is expected to return home this week. His
grandmother, Clara Horne, is counting the days.
“I feel happy and I’m glad he’s doing much better and he’s coming back
home,” Horne said.
The best news of all is that Johnny’s appetite has returned.
“Last night I talked with him and he said he’d be back Thursday,” Horne
said. “I said okay, we’ll have some fried chicken.”
