GULF WAR JABS 'LIES' BY HOON   

Apr 27 2003

Exclusive by Mike Hamilton

A SOLDIER called up for battle in Iraq has fallen ill with suspected Gulf War Syndrome after receiving five jabs in one day.

The injections given to Tony Barker, 45, contradict Government pledges that troops would not be given the multiple vaccinations, blamed for making thousands of Gulf War 1 veterans sick.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon told MPs in January: "A key lesson learned about inoculations is that it is not sensible to inflict on our forces a large number simultaneously."

But last night Gulf War Syndrome expert Professor Malcolm Hooper said: "Geoff Hoon is not telling the truth. This shows that the Government has clearly breached its own guidelines."

Tony was given five vaccinations - hepatitis, typhoid, polio, diptheria and yellow fever - on February 17, days after he was called up.

 JABS: Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon

The father-of-one received an Anthrax 1 jab less than a week later. Although he told medics he suffered from high blood pressure, he was passed fit for service.

HGV driver Tony was based at Camp Eagle in northern Kuwait where he was given nerve agent pre-treatment and anti-malarial pills. He also had a second anthrax jab on March 13.

The Royal Logistics Corps driver fell ill and collapsed after his blood pressure soared. He was ordered to stop taking anti-malarial tablets, and jetted home.

Since returning his condition has deteriorated, and the Territorial Army Lance Corporal is set to be discharged.

The news comes just two weeks after the Sunday Mirror revealed reservist sapper Stephen Cartwright was thought to be suffering from Gulf War Syndrome.

   
   
   
   

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