The Anthrax Vaccine

Anthrax
A serious disease that can affect animals and humans alike, cause by a bacteria called Bacillus antracis.
There are three kinds:
Cutaneous
Gastrointestinal
Inhalation

Cutaneous Anthrax

• most common forrm
• skin diseas
• causes ulcers, fever, and fatigue
• up to 20% of cases fatal if untreated

Gastrointestinal Anthrax

• results from eating raw, undercooked, infested meat
• Symptoms: fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, abdominal pain, swollen lymph glands
• can lead to blood poisoning, shock, and death

Inhalation Anthrax

• very serious
• when B antracis is inhaled
• first symptoms: sore throat, mild fever, muscle aches
• within days: breathing trouble, shock, and meningitis
• often fatal

How dowe contract the disease?

People can get anthrax through contact with infected animals, wool, meat, or hides.

Why get vaccinated?

• protects against anthrax
• US vaccine does not contain the actual disease
• the anthrax vaccine was licensed in 1970
• protects against cutaneous anthrax and inhalation anthrax based on sound evidence

Who should be vaccinated ?

• recommended to those who may be exposed to ample amounts of anthrax on the job
• laboratory conditions
• handling animals/animal products
• some military personnel

Who should not be vaccinated?

• people who have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose
• people who have had GBS
• people with a moderate to sever illness
• pregnant women

What ages? How many doses?

• ages 18-65
• people should get five doses in the muscle
• first dose once risk of exposure is identified
• remaining doses at 4 weeks, and 6, 12, and 18 months after initial dose
• annual booster shot recommended

Risks?

• tenderness (1 in 2)
• redness (1 in 7 men, 1 in 3 women)
• itching (1 in 50 men, 1 in 20 women)
• lump (1 in 60 men, 1 in 16 women)
• bruise (1 in 25 men, 1 in 22 women)

Risks (cont)

• muscle aches (1 in 14 men, 1 in 10 women)head aches (1 in 25 men, 1 in 12 women)
• fatigue (1 in 15 men, 1 in 8 women)
• Serious Allergic Reaction (less than 1 in 100,000)

Personal Thoughts
If one is in a situation in which they are exposed to Anthrax, then it is necessary in our opinion to be vaccinated. The disease that could be contracted is much more severe than side effects of the vaccine. However, if you aren't in a position to be exposed to the virus, there is no need to be vaccinated.