Anthrax
Bacillus anthracis
stain of anthrax

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease of animals that can be secondarily transmitted to humans. It is caused by a bacterium ( Bacillus anthracis ) that primarily affects sheep, horses, hogs, cattle, and goats and is almost always fatal in animals. The bacillus produces toxins that kill cells and cause fluid to accumulate in the body's tissues. Anthrax spores, which can survive for decades, are found in the soil, and animals typically contract the disease while grazing. Transmission to humans normally occurs through contact with infected animals but can also occur through eating meat from an infected animal or breathing air laden with the spores of the bacilli. The disease is almost entirely occupational, i.e., restricted to individuals who handle hides of animals (e.g., farmers, butchers, and veterinarians) or sort wool.

Includes AVIP key messages, current policy, the threat, the disease and the vaccine, dosage schedule and route of administration, exemptions and adverse reactions.
Includes AVIP key messages, current policy, the threat, the disease and the vaccine, dosage schedule and route of administration, exemptions, adverse reactions, storage and handling of the vaccine, and documentation.
ANTHRAX VACCINE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM (AVIP) UPDATE
BUMED PDF 07 Jul 10
SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION AND MONTHLY REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR THE ANTHRAX VACCINE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM (AVIP)
ALARACT PDF 04 May 10
SUSPENSION OF THE ANTHRAX VACCINE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM (AVIP) REGISTRY AND MONTHLY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
BUMED PDF 05 Nov 09
CLINICAL POLICY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ANTHRAX VACCINE ADSORBED (AVA) UPDATE
ALMAJCOM/SG PDF 14 Jan 09
CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION ROUTE AND DOSING SCHEDULE FOR THE ANTHRAX VACCINE ADSORBED (AVA)
ALCOAST PDF 05 Jan 09
ANTHRAX VACCINE - CHANGE IN ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND IN DOSING SCHEDULE
BUMED PDF 23 Dec 08
ANTHRAX VACCINE CHANGE ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND CHANGE IN DOSING SCHEDULE
27 Aug 09

Sample Q&A: The Anthrax Vaccine

Will this anthrax vaccine protect soldiers from all forms of anthrax, including the ones reportedly developed in Russia?
Every disease-causing strain of Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax disease via the same protein. The vaccine produces antibodies that neutralize that protein. The National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine concluded in March 2002 that “it is unlikely that either naturally occurring or anthrax strains with bioengineered protective antigen could both evade AVA [the U.S. anthrax vaccine] and cause the toxicity associated with anthrax.” DoD is aware of the Russian research effort recently reported in a British scientific journal. Russian scientists reported using technology to introduce two foreign genes into anthrax. The potential for a genetically altered virulent organism is of concern to us and we are anxious to learn more about this organism. Hamsters, vaccinated with the Russian live attenuated anthrax vaccine were not resistant to challenge with their engineered strain. There are substantive scientific questions about this report. First, the validity of the animal model that the Russians used needs to be addressed, because hamsters may not be predictive of results in other animals (including humans). Second, the strain produced may not be stable, a fact the Russians admit. An unstable organism would not be a candidate for weaponization. There have been ongoing efforts by OSD Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, the National Academy of Sciences, and the International Science and Technology Center to evaluate the possibility of a potential threat from genetically modified strains, and to ensure that our vaccine is effective against them. We believe that the current anthrax vaccine would be effective against altered genetic strains based on the biologic principles of the U.S. vaccine, which is different from the Russian vaccine.
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009
Did You Receive the Anthrax Vaccine While Pregnant?
Safety Review PDF 01 Jan 12
Detailed Safety Review of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed
Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network
For specialized immunization consultation and care.
What You Need to Know About Anthrax Vaccine
Did You Receive the Anthrax Vaccine While Pregnant?
Recommendations of the Defense Health Board (DHB)
Recommendations of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB)
Recommendations of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB)
Recommendations of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB)
Recommendations of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB)
Recommendations of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB)
Recommendations of the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board (AFEB)
Supplemental Form for Anthrax Vaccine in Pregnancy Registry
VAERS 09 Jan 06
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
Anthrax Vaccine
MEDCOM form #700-R has been rescinded and is no longer to be used for recording anthrax vaccinations.
Please continue to record all vaccinations in the following places:
- Health Record Immunization Record - SF 601
- International Certification of Vaccination - PHS Form 731
- Adult Preventive and Chronic Care Flow-sheet - DD Form 2766 & DD Form 2766C
- Service automated immunization tracking system - MEDPROS/AFCITA/SAMS
FAV111 PDF 17 Mar 05
FAV114 PDF 17 Mar 05
FAV113 PDF 22 Feb 05
FAV112 PDF 15 Feb 05
FAV109 PDF 30 Dec 04
FAV110 PDF 30 Dec 04
FAV107 PDF 27 Dec 04
Package Insert - Vaccine
Department of Health and Human Services
Anthrax Vaccine Information
BioThrax
For specialized immunization consultation and care.
Anthrax eTool - Protecting the Worksite against Anthrax
MMQC-12-1518 27 Aug 12
RECEIPT OF THE NEW ANTHRAX TRIFOLDS
MMQC-12-1379 18 Jun 12
ANTHRAX VACCINE EXPIRATION NOTIFICATION FOR FAV304
MMQC-12-1376 15 Jun 12
ANTHRAX VACCINE EXPIRATION NOTIFICATION FOR FAV297
MMQC-12-1345 04 Jun 12
ANTHRAX VACCINE TWO WEEK NOTIFICATION FOR LOT FAV304
MMQC-12-1341 01 Jun 12
ANTHRAX VACCINE TWO WEEK NOTIFICATION FOR LOT FAV297
MMQC-12-1311 18 May 12
ANTHRAX VACCINE EXPIRATION 30-DAY NOTICE LOT FAV304
MMQC-12-1308 16 May 12
ANTHRAX VACCINE EXPIRATION 30-DAY NOTICE LOT FAV297
What You Need to Know About Anthrax Vaccine
Safety Review PDF 01 Jan 12
Detailed Safety Review of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed
Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network
Vaccine Information Statement
Includes AVIP key messages, current policy, the threat, the disease and the vaccine, dosage schedule and route of administration, exemptions, adverse reactions, storage and handling of the vaccine, and documentation.
Includes AVIP key messages, current policy, the threat, the disease and the vaccine, dosage schedule and route of administration, exemptions and adverse reactions.
AVIP responds with the facts about the Anthrax Vaccine
Safety Review PDF 01 Jan 12
Detailed Safety Review of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed
Vaccine Information Statement
AVIP responds with the facts about the Anthrax Vaccine
Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program Information
Information About the Anthrax Vaccine and the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP)
Questions and Answers About Anthrax
Anthrax Vaccine Package Insert Change
FAV183 PDF 04 Apr 07
FAV188 PDF 13 Mar 07
FAV186 PDF 01 Mar 07
FAV181 PDF 22 Feb 07
FAV182 PDF 22 Feb 07
FAV184 PDF 07 Feb 07
VIS
Vaccine Information Statement
Author(s): ACIP
Publication: MMWR, vol. 59, no. RR-6
Subject: Vaccine-General
Disease: 
Anthrax
Author(s): BioPort Corporation
Publication: Package insert, Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (BioThrax) 31 Jan 2002
Subject: Vaccine-General
Disease: 
Anthrax
Author(s): Food & Drug Administration
Publication: Federal Register 2005;70,242:75180
Subject: Vaccine-General
Disease: 
Anthrax
Author(s): United States Court of Appeals United States Court of Appeals For The District Of Columbia Circuit
Publication: Case No. 08-5117
Subject: Vaccine-Safety
Disease: 
Anthrax