In 2001, a bioterrorism attack caused 22 individuals to develop anthrax (11 inhalation and 11 cutaneous) after envelopes containing anthrax spores were mailed to various U.S. government officials and news media outlets. Twenty of the 22 cases were linked to handling mail items, and five people died as a result.
Following the 2001 bioterrorism attacks involving postal and Capitol workers, federal health officials with Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that anthrax vaccines would be made available to persons who may have been exposed to anthrax. The use of the anthrax vaccine post-exposure was considered experimental because the vaccine was not approved for post-exposure prophylaxis. HHS stated that they were offering the vaccine but not making a recommendation due to the risk of vaccine reactions and the lack of data to support the vaccine’s use post-exposure.
