Prevention
In endemic countries where animal vaccination of anthrax
is not widespread, humans should avoid contact with livestock
and animal products and avoid consuming meat that may not
have been properly slaughtered and cooked. A non-living anthrax
vaccine is available in the United States. The vaccine is
reported to be 93% effective in protecting against anthrax.
To date, this has only been administered to persons at risk
for exposure to anthrax spores and is not available for routine
use.
Prevention of anthrax has largely been dependent upon controlling
the disease in animals through vaccination. Veterinary vaccines
are effective in animals, but are not suitable for human use.
The anthrax vaccine is an aluminum hydroxide-precipitated
preparation of protective antigen from B. anthracis.
The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections
given 2 weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous
injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections
of the vaccine are recommended thereafter.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommend
anthrax vaccination for the following groups:
- Persons who work directly with the organism
in the laboratory
- Persons who work with imported animal
hides or furs in areas where standards are insufficient
to prevent exposure to anthrax spores.
- Persons who handle potentially infected
animal products in high-incidence areas.
- Military personnel deployed to areas
with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when it
is used as a biological warfare weapon).
Side effects from the vaccine include mild local reactions
in 30% of recipients and consist of slight tenderness
and redness at the injection site. Severe local reactions
are infrequent and consist of extensive swelling of the forearm
in addition to the local reaction. Systemic reactions occur
in less than 0.2% of recipients.
|
