FDA clears long-awaited anthrax vaccine shipments from troubled factory

(Washington-AP) -- The nation's only maker of the anthrax vaccine now has federal approval to begin shipping the vaccine to the military. <br><br>The Food and Drug Administration says BioPort's

Thursday, January 31st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Washington-AP) -- The nation's only maker of the anthrax vaccine now has federal approval to begin shipping the vaccine to the military.

The Food and Drug Administration says BioPort's factory has met federal requirements. The decision came after four years of violations that stalled efforts to protect the military from the bioterror bacteria.

Pressure to approve the Michigan factory has grown since last fall's anthrax outbreak killed five people on the East Coast.

The Defense Department owns all of the vaccine the company makes.