http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2003/06/12/news/region_and_state/5d5ad8063c5d300b86256d42007bf6db.prt

Coroner rules vaccinations contributed to reservist's death

BY LAURI HARVEY
Times Staff Writer

LYNWOOD -- A Minnesota coroner has determined that smallpox and anthrax vaccines contributed to the death of a Lynwood reservist this spring.

U.S. Army Reserves Spc. Rachael Lacy, 22, died April 4 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., just over a month after receiving the vaccinations. Doctors discovered, after she became ill, that she had lupus, an autoimmune disorder that inhibits the body's ability to fight disease.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends individuals that have a known autoimmune disorder should not receive the smallpox and anthrax vaccines.

Lacy's father, Moses Lacy, of Lynwood, received his daughter's death certificate Tuesday and after learning about the ruling, he believes his daughter's death could have been prevented.

"Yes, she was in the military and knew there was a risk of war and that she could be sent to the front line and lose her life," he said. "But, I don't know if she had any choice in this matter. I don't know if she was aware of these risks."

Linda Fournier, a spokeswoman for Fort McCoy said Lacy was made aware of the risks and side effects of the vaccinations, but would not have been allowed to refuse the shots.

"A refusal would amount to disobeying an order," Fournier said. "It's all part of what they buy into (when people enlist in the military reserves). It's for their own health and welfare."

Fournier said that if Lacy, and the medical staff on base, knew she had lupus, "she wouldn't have been given those shots."

Fournier stressed that any casualty in the military is tragic, but insisted the government has determined the preventative benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the risks.

"The number of people receiving these vaccinations compared to the number of people with problems and complications are very small," she said.

Lacy's father said he refuses to accept that his daughter, "was just a statistic."

"I just can't," he said.

The official cause of death noted on the death certificate by Olmsted County Coroner Eric Pfeifer is, diffuse alveolar damage, meaning widespread damage to the sacks of the lungs. Underlying factors are listed as, "lymphocytic pericarditis with eosinophils, post vaccination," an inflammation of the sack surrounding the heart, in addition to an allergic reaction impacting the white blood cells.

According to Pfeifer, contributing conditions were a "lupus-like autoimmune disease (not otherwise specified); recent smallpox and anthrax vaccination."

Lacy was studying to be a nurse when she was called to active duty in February. Lacy, who worked at Beggar's Pizza in Lansing, also was a student in the nursing program at South Suburban College in South Holland. She also was a member of the 452 Combat Surgical Hospital unit ,out of Milwaukee, where she served as a combat medic.

Lacy's unit arrived at Fort McCoy, Wisc. on Feb. 27 and she received the smallpox and anthrax vaccines along with the other soldiers in her unit within the week, Fournier said. Lacy began feeling ill on March 17, and went to a local emergency hospital in Sparta, Wisc. about seven miles from Fort McCoy.

The doctors there began giving Lacy antibiotics, thinking she had bronchitis.

She was then referred and admitted to a hospital in LaCrosse, Wisc. When Lacy's condition did not improve, she was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., on April 2.

She died there three days later.

Lacy's father fought back tears when asked if he is considering any legal action regarding his daughter's death.

"I'd gladly give my life if it would bring back my daughter," he said. "No money in the world would bring my daughter back. Her brothers lost their sister, and I have a little girl that I feel so sorry for because she lost a big sister."

For now, the reservist's father said he will focus on helping other families avoid the pain of losing a loved one from vaccine-related causes that resulted in the death of his daughter.

He said he plans to ask federal legislators to help stop inoculations until more information is available on their risks.

"I think it's very important that someone say, 'Let's stop this, re-evaluate what we're doing, re-evaluate the risks," Lacy said.

Lauri Harvey can be reached at lharvey@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4169.