Anthrax Vaccine Information for Soldiers and Family Members:
Anthrax is a highly lethal biological weapon. |
"Vaccination against anthrax is a safe, prudent force protection measure." William S.Cohen Secretary of Defense |
What is the Threat? |
Biological weapons are maintained by several countries around the world. Use of these weapons could cause widespread illness among unprotected personnel. |
Anthrax is the biological weapons most likely to be encountered because it is: |
- Highly lethal
- Easy to produce in large quantities
- Relatively easy to develop as a weapon
- Easily spread over a large area
- Easily stored and dangerous for a long time
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What is Anthrax? |
Anthrax is a disease normally associated with plant-eating animals (sheep, goats, cattle, and to a lesser degree swine). It is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Once common where livestock were raised, it is now controlled through animal vaccination programs. Anthrax still occurs in countries where animals are not vaccinated, mainly in Africa and Asia. It does occur infrequently in many countries, including the United States. |
Human infection with anthrax usually results from direct contact with infected animals, or animal products such as wool, meat or hides. However, when anthrax is used as a biological weapon, people become infected by breathing anthrax that is released into the air. Inhalation anthrax is the disease that results from breathing anthrax. |
Symptoms of inhalation anthrax can begin as early as 24 hours after breathing the spores. Initial symptoms include: |
- fever
- cough
- weakness and usually progress to breathing problems
- shock and death.
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Why Vaccinate? |
Vaccines prevent illness by stimulating the body's natural disease-fighting abilities. They are among the most powerful tools developed by modern medicine for keeping people healthy. Vaccines are routinely used in the United States to protect against disease such as mumps, measles, whooping cough, and polio. As part of medical protection, personnel are given additional vaccines to protect against naturally occurring disease encountered when overseas, such as typhoid, hepatitis, and yellow fever. Vaccines also help protect against biological weapons. The Department Defense has established a vaccination program to protect personnel against anthrax. |
What is the Anthrax Vaccine? |
Anthrax vaccine is a sterile product made from filtrates of cultures of a strain of the anthrax organism that does not cause disease. The vaccine contains no living or dead anthrax organisms. The anthrax vaccine is not new. Human anthrax vaccines were developed in England and the U.S. in the 1950s and early 1960s. The anthrax vaccine will receive was licensed by the FDA in 1970 and has been manufactured by the Michigan Biologic Products Institute (MBPI) under Establishment License No. 99. It has been safely and routinely administered in the United States to veterinarians, laboratory workers, and livestock handlers for more than twenty-five years. |
Commonly Asked Questions & Answers: |
Q: Why are Service members getting this vaccine? A: Anthrax is a lethal weapon that could be used against deployed personnel. Vaccination before exposure is a critical part of the protection against this weapon. |
Q: Is the vaccine all this is needed to protect against inhalation anthrax? A: Being fully vaccinated greatly increases the chances of surviving an exposure to anthrax. Chances are further improved by other measures, especially the proper use of the protective mask. |
Q: Is this an experimental vaccine? A: No, Anthrax vaccine has been FDA approved since 1970 (MBPI Establishment License No. 99). |
Q: Is this vaccine safe? A: Yes, this vaccine has been safely and routinely administered in the U.S. to veterinarians, laboratory workers, and livestock handlers since 1970. No reports of serious adverse effects have been received by the manufacturer, the Michigan Biologic Product Institute. |
Q: Is there anyone who should not receive the vaccine? A: Anthrax vaccine should be administered only to healthy men and women from 18-65 years of age because investigations to date have been conducted exclusively in that population. |
Q: What about pregnancy? A: Pregnant service members will not receive the vaccine. The vaccination series will be deferred until the pregnancy is complete. There also is no scientific evidence to suggest that future pregnancies by service members or their spouses will be affected by the use of this vaccine. |
Q: What other medical conditions could affect the use of this vaccine? A: If a person has an active infection or is taking some presription medications, a decision to give the vaccine will be made on case by case basis. |
Q: The Anthrax vaccine was administered to personnel deployed in the Gulf War. Has the anthrax vaccine been linked to illness among Gulf War veterans? A: No. Several national scientific groups, including National Academy of Sciences, have addressed this issue and have found no evidence to link anthrax vaccine with illness among Gulf War veterans. |
Q: How many shots will be given? A: Six shots, three given two weeks apart followed by three additional injections given at 6, 12 and 18 months. An annual booster shot is required to maintain ongoing immunity. |
Q: What are the side effects? A: As with other vaccinations, pain may occur at the site of injection. Temporary side effects (sore arm, redness, and slight swelling) may occur. The vaccine has been in use since 1970 with no know long term side effects. |
Q: How can I get more information about anthrax vaccine? A: Information can be obtained from your local command or supporting medical facility. In addition, more information on the anthrax vaccine can be accessed at the website: http://www.defenselink.mil/other_Info/protection.html#Anthrax |
Anthrax is a threat! A safe vaccine is available! U.S. Forces can be protected!
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