Biothrax, Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed
Ages: Biothrax is approved for use in adults between 18 and 65 years of age
Vaccine ingredients: cell-free filtrates of microaerophilic cultures of an avirulent, nonencapsulated strain of Bacillus anthracis, 83kDa protective antigen protein, aluminum hydroxide, sodium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and formaldehyde.
Commonly reported adverse events: redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site, arm motion limitation, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache.
Reported serious adverse events: anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, pruritus, erythema multiforme, anaphylactoid reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe skin and mucus membrane reaction), paresthesia syncope, dizziness, tremor, ulnar nerve neuropathy, lymphadenopathy, nausea, malaise, pain, cellulitis, flu-like symptoms, insomnia, pruritis, rash, urticaria, flushing, arthralgia, arthropathy, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, and alopecia.
Biothrax anthrax vaccine is a Pregnancy Category D vaccine, which means that there is evidence of harm in human studies or fetal risk demonstrated in pre- or post-marketing surveillance data. Pregnant women should not be vaccinated with Biothrax unless the possible benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. Vaccination of a breastfeeding mother is cautioned as it is not known whether the vaccine is excreted in human milk.
Biothrax has never been evaluated for safety or efficacy when given with any other licensed vaccine product.
Biothrax Anthrax Vaccine for Pre-exposure prophylaxis
Biothrax anthrax vaccine is approved to be administered intramuscularly (IM) as 3-dose primary series (0, 1, and 6 months) with an initial 2- dose booster (12 months and 18 months). A yearly booster dose is recommended for persons considered at high risk for infection (lab workers handling anthrax, military personnel). For persons who have completed the initial five doses and are not considered high risk but would like to maintain vaccine acquired protection, ACIP recommends a booster dose every three years.
Biothrax Anthrax Vaccine for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Biothrax anthrax vaccine can be administered to persons with known or suspected anthrax exposure as a 3-dose series (0, 1, and 4 weeks) in conjunction with antibiotic therapy. The CDC’s ACIP recommends that the anthrax vaccine be administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection because higher levels of vaccine-acquired antibodies occur within four weeks; however, IM injection is still acceptable.
