Anthrax Vaccination
Anthrax is an infectious disease caused
by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. In response to the
use and possible future use of anthrax as a biological weapon, the following
recommendations have been made:1, 2
- Only people at high risk of exposure should be
given the anthrax vaccine. This may include certain lab workers, people who
work with imported animals where insufficient preventive standards are in place
(such as veterinarians who travel to work in other countries), and certain
military personnel.
- Anthrax vaccination is not recommended for the general public
because of their low risk of infection and because supplies of the vaccine are
very limited.
The anthrax vaccination is given in a series of five
injections over 18 months followed by annual boosters.
Potential
side effects of the vaccine include fever, headache, joint pain, and fatigue.
Pregnant women should be vaccinated only if absolutely necessary.
Check updated recommendations from the United States government on the
website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at
www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax.
Citations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000). Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States:
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
MMWR, 49(RR-15): 1–20. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4915a1.htm.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002).
Notice to readers: Use of anthrax vaccine in response to terrorism.
Supplemental recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices. MMWR, 51(45): 1024–1026. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5145a4.htm.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease |
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| Last Revised | May 31, 2012 |
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Last Revised:
May 31, 2012
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000). Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States:
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
MMWR, 49(RR-15): 1–20. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4915a1.htm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002).
Notice to readers: Use of anthrax vaccine in response to terrorism.
Supplemental recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices. MMWR, 51(45): 1024–1026. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5145a4.htm.
