Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeEligibilityHistoryControversySide EffectsAnthrax FatalityCompensation
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
Eligibility
History
Controversy
Side Effects
Anthrax Fatality
Compensation
The anthrax vaccine is given to select U.S. military personnel to protect them from possible exposure to anthrax, particularly in regions where it might be deployed as a biological weapon. It’s also offered to people who handle livestock, since the anthrax bacteria,Bacillus anthracis, can be found in infected animals and animal products.
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What Is the Anthrax Vaccine?
Each dose of the vaccine includes bacterial proteins and aluminum.Aluminum salts have been used safely in vaccines for over 70 years. This ingredient is used in many different childhood and adult vaccines.The vaccine does not contain egg proteins or thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative.
Based on available data from human and animal studies, the anthrax vaccine is estimated to be 93% effective in protecting against anthrax disease. It also greatly increases the likelihood of survival after inhaling anthrax, which is the deadliest form of exposure.
Scientists are unsure how long the immunity to anthrax after vaccination lasts, so the CDC recommends a booster shot every year for high-risk individuals.
Is the Vaccine Still Given?
Yes, the anthrax vaccine is still given. Anthrax vaccination is recommended for people between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are at high risk for exposure to the bacteria.
These people include:
Anthrax vaccination is also recommended for unvaccinated people of all ages who have been exposed to the bacteria.
For people who have been exposed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends three doses of anthrax vaccine over four weeks, plus a 42-day course of antibiotics (in some cases, 60 days).
Anthrax Vaccine History
Here’s a timeline of anthrax vaccine mandates and uses since then:
Is the Anthrax Vaccine FDA-Approved?As of 2023, the FDA has approved two vaccines, BioThrax and Cyfendus, for people ages 18 to 65 to help prevent anthrax if they might have been exposed to it. These vaccines work best when given along with certain antibiotics. BioThrax is also approved for prevention in people at high risk of anthrax exposure.
Is the Anthrax Vaccine FDA-Approved?
As of 2023, the FDA has approved two vaccines, BioThrax and Cyfendus, for people ages 18 to 65 to help prevent anthrax if they might have been exposed to it. These vaccines work best when given along with certain antibiotics. BioThrax is also approved for prevention in people at high risk of anthrax exposure.
Why the Vaccines Were Halted
Around that time, there was public concern over reports of medically unexplained symptoms among veterans, which were collectively referred to as “Gulf War syndrome.” Symptoms included fatigue, headaches, joint pain, dizziness, and cognitive issues like memory problems, which some thought might be linked to the anthrax vaccine.
After two years of assessing these reports, the IOM issued a statement in 2002 that there was inadequate/insufficient evidence to determine a link between the anthrax vaccine and long-term health effects. The same IOM report also concluded that the anthrax vaccine is effective for protecting humans from anthrax.
That same year, the Department of Defense (DoD) resumed the anthrax vaccination program for military personnel assigned to high-risk areas for more than 15 days.
Potential Side Effects
Most people who get the anthrax vaccine do not have any problems. When side effects do occur, they tend to be mild and short-lived, and resolve within days to weeks.
Anthrax vaccine side effects are similar to those of many other vaccinations, including:
Although rare, serious allergic reactions can occur. Signs of a serious allergic reaction after receiving the vaccine include:
Less than 10% of all adverse events are considered severe.
Is Anthrax Vaccine Linked to Multiple Sclerosis?Several independent scientific groups have assessed the long-term side effects of the anthrax vaccine. To date, no evidence has been found to support claims that the vaccine causesmultiple sclerosisor other long-term illnesses.
Is Anthrax Vaccine Linked to Multiple Sclerosis?
Several independent scientific groups have assessed the long-term side effects of the anthrax vaccine. To date, no evidence has been found to support claims that the vaccine causesmultiple sclerosisor other long-term illnesses.
Is Anthrax Survivable?
Anthrax is rare in the United States, but sporadic outbreaks occur in wild and domesticated animals. Animal infections are more common in developing countries that do not have veterinary public health programs that routinely vaccinate animals against anthrax.
Can Anthrax Be Cured?Healthcare providers can treat all types of anthrax with antibiotics if they diagnose it early. However, it still carries a high risk of fatality, which is why people at special risk for the disease need to obtain an anthrax vaccine.
Can Anthrax Be Cured?
Healthcare providers can treat all types of anthrax with antibiotics if they diagnose it early. However, it still carries a high risk of fatality, which is why people at special risk for the disease need to obtain an anthrax vaccine.
Filing for Anthrax Vaccine Compensation
There has been much debate and confusion over the years on whether veterans qualify for disability after anthrax vaccination.
A veteran can apply for disability for long-term side effects from any vaccine, including anthrax. To obtain disability, the veteran must prove that the symptoms result from anthrax vaccination and not other pre-existing conditions or other exposures.
However, there currently is no proven link between anthrax and specific long-term symptoms. This means that a veteran can file a claim, but the veteran may go through a long, complicated, expensive, and unfruitful process to obtain disability benefits for anthrax vaccination.
Summary
Anthrax infection is rare but often fatal. Spores from the bacteria are found in the soil and can often infect animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
Select U.S. military personnel are required to get the anthrax vaccine to prevent anthrax infection in high-risk situations. Vaccination requires five initial doses and annual boosters. There is no proven link between long-term illness and vaccination.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.WRIISC.Anthrax vaccine.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Anthrax.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adjuvants and vaccines.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.BioThrax (Anthrax vaccine adsorbed).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccine information statements.Bower WA, Schiffer J, Atmar RL, et al.Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices, 2019.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019;68. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr6804a1Texas State University.Louis Pasteur’s scientific discoveries in the 19th century revolutionized medicine and continue to save the lives of millions today.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Vaccinations and Gulf war veterans.GAO.Anthrax vaccine safety and efficacy issues.GAO.GAO’s survey of guard and reserve pilots and aircrew.Institute of Medicine.The Anthrax Vaccine: Is it safe? Does it work?.University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.GAO: Military anthrax shots caused many reactions, prompted some pilots to quit.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gulf war syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About anthrax.Military Health System.Vaccine injury compensation program.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.WRIISC.Anthrax vaccine.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Anthrax.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adjuvants and vaccines.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.BioThrax (Anthrax vaccine adsorbed).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccine information statements.Bower WA, Schiffer J, Atmar RL, et al.Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices, 2019.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019;68. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr6804a1Texas State University.Louis Pasteur’s scientific discoveries in the 19th century revolutionized medicine and continue to save the lives of millions today.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Vaccinations and Gulf war veterans.GAO.Anthrax vaccine safety and efficacy issues.GAO.GAO’s survey of guard and reserve pilots and aircrew.Institute of Medicine.The Anthrax Vaccine: Is it safe? Does it work?.University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.GAO: Military anthrax shots caused many reactions, prompted some pilots to quit.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gulf war syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About anthrax.Military Health System.Vaccine injury compensation program.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
WRIISC.Anthrax vaccine.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Anthrax.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adjuvants and vaccines.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.BioThrax (Anthrax vaccine adsorbed).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccine information statements.Bower WA, Schiffer J, Atmar RL, et al.Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices, 2019.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019;68. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr6804a1Texas State University.Louis Pasteur’s scientific discoveries in the 19th century revolutionized medicine and continue to save the lives of millions today.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Vaccinations and Gulf war veterans.GAO.Anthrax vaccine safety and efficacy issues.GAO.GAO’s survey of guard and reserve pilots and aircrew.Institute of Medicine.The Anthrax Vaccine: Is it safe? Does it work?.University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.GAO: Military anthrax shots caused many reactions, prompted some pilots to quit.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gulf war syndrome.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About anthrax.Military Health System.Vaccine injury compensation program.
WRIISC.Anthrax vaccine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Anthrax.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Adjuvants and vaccines.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.BioThrax (Anthrax vaccine adsorbed).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Anthrax vaccine information statements.
Bower WA, Schiffer J, Atmar RL, et al.Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices, 2019.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2019;68. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr6804a1
Texas State University.Louis Pasteur’s scientific discoveries in the 19th century revolutionized medicine and continue to save the lives of millions today.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Vaccinations and Gulf war veterans.
GAO.Anthrax vaccine safety and efficacy issues.
GAO.GAO’s survey of guard and reserve pilots and aircrew.
Institute of Medicine.The Anthrax Vaccine: Is it safe? Does it work?.
University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.GAO: Military anthrax shots caused many reactions, prompted some pilots to quit.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gulf war syndrome.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About anthrax.
Military Health System.Vaccine injury compensation program.
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