White House: No flu vaccine for Gitmo detainees

In this March 15, 2002 file photo, an inmate of Camp X-Ray is escorted by two guards while other inmates are seen in their cells in Guantanamo Bay U.S. Navy Base, Cuba.

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Story Published: Nov 4, 2009 at 8:58 AM MST

Story Updated: Nov 4, 2009 at 8:58 AM MST

By Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says detainees at Guantanamo Bay are not yet receiving vaccinations against the swine flu.

Robert Gibbs on Tuesday said concern that terrorism suspects at the U.S. naval base in Cuba were receiving vaccines was misplaced. Gibbs says no vaccines are at the naval base and none are on the way.

A spokesman for the U.S. jail facility a day earlier said guards and then inmates were scheduled for inoculations. Critics were fast to object, saying U.S. civilians were waiting for vaccines while suspected terrorists were being given injections.

Army Maj. James Crabtree said Monday that doses should start arriving this month and medical personnel requested the doses. He said detainees will be vaccinated "entirely on a voluntary basis."

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