ANTHRAX VACCINE

Members of the United States armed forces are receiving anthrax vaccine because of the threat of biologic terrorism using this organism. Concerns have been raised about the vaccine, but the experience to date has revealed no unexpected or unusual side effects. The Institute for Vaccine Safety has not conducted an independent assessment of the safety or effectiveness of anthrax vaccine, but is providing links for interested readers.

Detailed Safety Review of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed – January 2012.  Compiled by the Military Vaccine (MILVAX) Agency. Link to report  ACIP Recommendations – updated July 2012 [link].  Changes include: 1) reducing the number of doses required to complete the pre-event and preexposure primary series from 6 doses to 5 doses, 2) recommending intramuscular rather than subcutaneous AVA administration for preexposure use, 3) recommending AVA as a component of postexposure prophylaxis in pregnant women exposed to aerosolized Bacillus anthracis spores, 4) providing guidance regarding preexposure vaccination of emergency and other responder organizations under the direction of an occupational health program, and 5) recommending 60 days of antimicrobial prophylaxis in conjunction with 3 doses of AVA for optimal protection of previously unvaccinated persons after exposure to aerosolized B. anthracis spores. CDC’s Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) updated March 2010 [link] Stewart B, et al. Health-related quality of life in the CDC Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Human Clinical Trial. Vaccine 2012;30(40):5875-9. A study of more than 1500 participants found no association between receipt of Anthrax Vaccine and altered health-related quality of life over 3.5 years.   Murphy D, et al. A longitudinal study of UK military personnel offered anthrax vaccination: informed choice, symptom reporting, uptake and pre-vaccination health. Vaccine 2012;30(6):1094-100. UK service personnel were followed for 3-6 years after anthrax vaccination to assess long term health.  Anthrax vaccination was not associated with long term adverse health problems. However, symptoms were associated with making an uninformed choice to undergo the vaccination. The results are important both for the safety of the vaccine and for future policies should anthrax vaccination be required in either military or non military populations. The US Department of Defense announced the continuation of the anthrax and smallpox vaccination programs. The programs will be expanded to also include units in the Pacific region, the Middle East and South Korea. Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, indicated that these changes were the result of availability of additional smallpox and anthrax vaccine - not an increased risk of of biological warfare in those regions. (June 30, 2004) IOM Report: The Anthrax Vaccine: Is It Safe● Does It Work● reports the study’s conclusion that the vaccine is acceptably safe and effective in protecting humans against anthrax. The book also includes a description of advances needed in main areas: improving the way the vaccine is now used, expanding surveillance efforts to detect side effects from its use, and developing a better vaccine. (March 6, 2002).   Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - As of November 1, 2003, the faculty and staff formerly of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies are now affiliated with the Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The Center for Biosecurity has information on Anthrax, as well as other Biological Weapon Agents Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information page on Anthrax Information on Bioterrrorism and Related Issues    Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices -  Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States.  web version; pdf (39 page Adobe Acrobat file) MMWR Publications Investigation of Bioterrorism-Related Anthrax and Interim Guidelines for Exposure Management and Antimicrobial Therapy  October 26, 2001 / 50(42);909-919 Investigation of Anthrax Associated with Intentional Exposure and Interim Public Health Guidelines October 19, 2001 / 50(41);889-893 Recognition of Illness Associated with the Intentional Release of a Biologic Agent October 19, 2001 / 50(41);893-7 U.S. Department of Defense  Anthrax: the threat, the disease and the vaccine Q&A World Health Organization Guidelines on Anthrax: frequently asked questions

This page was last updated on November 07, 2012 © 2012 Institute for Vaccine Safety