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THE ANTHRAX VACCINE
What it is:
- The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate, which means it uses dead bacteria as opposed to live bacteria. It is a sterile product made from a strain of the anthrax organism that does not cause disease
- The vaccine was developed in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s for humans and was approved by the FDA in 1970
- Since 1970, it has been safely and routinely administered to veterinarians, laboratory workers, and livestock handlers in the United States
- The vaccine is manufactured by one company, the Bioport Corporation, formerly know as the Michigan Biologic Products Institute (MBPI)
What it does:
- The vaccine aids your immune system to prevent the anthrax bacteria from producing toxins that would otherwise kill you
- Possible reactions (% of vaccinated population):
- Mild local reactions, 30%
(redness, minor swelling, tenderness at the site of injection -- not unlike other vaccine shots)
- Moderate local reaction, 4%
(redness, minor swelling, tenderness at the site of injection and forearm)
- Severe local reactions, less than 1%
(low-grade fever, swelling at the site of injection and forearm)
- Very rare systemic reactions, less than 0.2%
(flu-like symptoms)
- There have been no long-term side effects from the vaccine
Effectiveness:
- For obvious reasons, inhalational anthrax vaccines cannot be tested on humans
- Rhesus monkeys were used to test the effectiveness of the vaccine and produced compelling evidence that the vaccine series will be effective at preventing disease after you are exposed to airborne spores (inhalational anthrax)
Why Vaccinate?
A three-year study found that vaccination was the safest way to protect a highly mobile military against a threat from anthrax spores that are 99% lethal for unprotected persons
The Schedule:
- May 18, 1998: Secretary of Defense William Cohen approved the vaccination plan based on the successful completion of all testing and operational criteria
- Between now and 2003, the entire force, including all new recruits, will begin receiving the six-shot series of the anthrax vaccination in a phased inoculation program
Phase 1: Forces assigned now or rotating to high threat areas in Southwest Asia and Korea
Phase 2: Early deploying forces into high threat areas
Phase 3: Remainder of the force and new recruits
Phase 4: Program sustainment, annual booster shots
- The first three shots are given in two-week intervals. The following three shots are administered at 6, 12, and 18 months. The program also includes an annual booster
Who will be immunized:
- United States military service members between the ages of 18 and 65
- Mission essential non-military DoD employees assigned to a threat area
Disqualification criteria:
- Persons with a history of severe reaction to anthrax vaccination
- Persons with acute respiratory disease or active infection
- Persons with depressed immune response
- Persons younger than 18 and older than 65
- Pregnant women
NOTE: Like all other vaccines in the U.S., the anthrax vaccine has not been studied for effects on the reproductive system. Therefore, ALL vaccinations should be deferred during pregnancy. Every woman will be questioned about the possibility of pregnancy. If a vaccine is inadvertently given to a pregnant woman, no adverse pregnancy outcome or fetal harm is expected because of the vaccine's inactive state.
The United Kingdom has announced its own vaccination program. Canada also plans to vaccinate its forces in the Gulf Region.
