The U.S. Army's Special Immunizations Program is an important component of an overall biosafety program for laboratory workers at risk of exposure to hazardous pathogens. The program provides immunizations to scientists, laboratory technicians and other support staff who work with certain hazardous pathogens and toxins. Although first established to serve military personnel, the program was expanded through a cost-sharing agreement in 2004 to include other government and civilian workers, reflecting the expansion in biodefense research in recent years. Protecting the Frontline in Biodefense Research examines issues related to the expansion of the Special Immunizations Program, considering the regulatory frameworks under which the vaccines are administered, how additional vaccines might be considered for inclusion in the Program, and factors that might influence the development and manufacturing of vaccines for the Special Immunizations Program.

This Annual Report of the Department of Defense (DOD) Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) provides information in response to several reporting requirements. First, this report is provided in accordance with 50 U.S. Code Section 1523. (The complete reporting requirement is detailed at Annex L) This report is intended to assess: (1) the overall readiness of the Armed Forces to fight in a chemical biological (CB) warfare environment and steps taken and planned to be taken to improve such readiness; and, (2) requirements for the chemical and biological warfare defense program, including requirements for training, detection, and protective equipment, for medical prophylaxis, and for treatment of casualties resulting from use of chemical and biological weapons. The CBDP provides an integrated collection of chemical and biological defense systems to U.S. forces. The overall readiness of U.S. forces is dependent on many factors. One key factor is the availability of equipment. Chapter 2 summarizes equipment requirements and the status of research, development, test and evaluation (RDT & E) and acquisition efforts across all capability areas. Chapter 3 details the logistics status of CB defense systems. The overall logistical readiness status of the Department's CB defense equipment has improved slightly. Several factors have had an adverse effect on the overall DOD readiness and sustainment status: increased demands by the Services for some CB defense equipment; the increased overall Service requirements in order to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; the reorganization and the approved strength increase of the Army; and equipment modernization efforts in all of the Services. Another key factor in overall readiness is the education, training, and exercises conducted by U.S. forces to remain prepared for chemical and biological threats. Education, training, and exercises are detailed in Chapter.