Anthrax vaccine

Anthrax vaccine

Anthrax vaccine

What is an anthrax vaccination?

The anthrax vaccine is used to prevent anthrax disease in adults. The anthrax vaccine does not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

The anthrax vaccine is used prior to exposure to people who may come into contact with anthrax bacteria in certain work environments, while traveling or during military service. The anthrax vaccine is used along with antibiotics after exposure to people who have already been exposed to anthrax bacteria.

This vaccine exposes you to an antigen protein that causes your body to develop immunity to the disease. The anthrax vaccine does not contain live or killed forms of the bacteria that cause anthrax.

Like any vaccine, the anthrax vaccine may not provide protection against disease in every person.

Side effects of the anthrax vaccine

Keep track of any side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you receive a booster vaccination, you must tell the doctor whether the previous vaccination caused any side effects.

Infection with anthrax is far more dangerous to your health than vaccination with this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

The anthrax vaccine can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, as if you were going to faint;

• Fever, chills, body aches, nausea, flu symptoms; or

• Severe swelling or a hard lump at the injection site.

Common side effects include:

• redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site;

• difficulty moving the injected arm;

• muscle pain;

• fainting;

• feel tired; or

• Headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report vaccine side effects to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines or have any other medical conditions or allergies.

Before you take this medicine

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to an anthrax vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an allergy to latex, aluminum hydroxide, benzothonium chloride, or formaldehyde;

• a weak immune system caused by taking certain medications such as steroids, chemotherapy or radiation; or

• if you are taking a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).

May harm an unborn child.Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of the anthrax vaccine on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using the anthrax vaccine.

How is the anthrax vaccine administered?

This vaccine is given as an injection (syringe) into a muscle or under the skin.

Pre-exposure anthrax vaccination is recommended for adults ages 18 to 65 in the following situations:

• People who handle anthrax bacteria in a laboratory or other work environment;

• People who handle animal hides or furs imported from areas where anthrax is common;

• People who handle meat or other animal products in areas where anthrax is common;

• veterinarians traveling to countries where anthrax is common; And

• Military personnel are at risk of exposure to potential biological warfare if anthrax can be used as a weapon.

When usedafter exposure, the anthrax vaccine is given in combination with antibiotics. Make sure you use the antibiotic for the full length of time prescribed, even if you feel well.

The anthrax vaccine is administered in multiple shots. Even if exposure to anthrax is possible, an annual booster vaccination is recommended every year. Follow your doctor's instructions or the booster schedule recommended by the health department of the state where you live.

Anthrax vaccine dosage information

Usual adult dose for anthrax prophylaxis:

Pre-exposure prophylaxis:
Primary series: 0.5 ml intramuscularly at 0, 1 and 6 months
Booster series: 0.5 ml intramuscularly 6 and 12 months after the primary vaccination and every 12 months thereafter

Pre-exposure prophylaxis in patients at risk of hematoma by intramuscular injection:
Primary series: 0.5 ml subcutaneously at 0, 2 and 4 weeks and 6 months
Booster vaccination: 0.5 ml subcutaneously 6 and 12 months after the primary vaccination and every 12 months thereafter

Post-exposure prophylaxis:
Primary series: 0.5 ml subcutaneously at 0, 2 and 4 weeks post-exposure combined with antimicrobial therapy

Comments:
-The effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis is based solely on animal models of inhalation anthrax.
-The optimal catch-up schedule for missed or late booster doses is unknown.

Used:
-Active immunization of patients aged 18 to 65 years for pre-exposure prophylaxis in those at high risk of exposure
- Active immunization of patients aged 18 to 65 years for post-exposure prophylaxis after suspected or confirmed exposure to Bacillus anthracis, administered in conjunction with recommended antibiotics

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss or are late with a booster dose. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Make sure you receive all recommended doses of this vaccine. If you don't get the full series, you may not be fully protected from disease.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely.

What should I avoid before or after the anthrax vaccination?

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any food, drink, or activity restrictions.

What other drugs affect the anthrax vaccine?

Before you receive this vaccine, tell your doctor about any other vaccinations you have recently received.

Also tell your doctor if you have recently received any medications or treatments that may weaken the immune system, including:

• steroid medicine;

• cancer treatments;

• medicines used to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases; or

• Medicines used to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection.

If you are taking any of these medications, you may not be able to receive the vaccine or may have to wait until other treatments are completed.

This list is not complete. Other medications may affect this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the prescribed indication.