What are the side effects of the anthrax vaccination?
What Are the Possible Side Effects?Reactions where the shot was given. Redness. Swelling. Soreness or tenderness. A lump or bruise. Itching.Muscle aches or temporary limitation of movement in the arm where the shot was given.Headache.Feeling tired.
What are the long-term side effects of the anthrax vaccine?
Anthrax Vaccines' Long-Term Side EffectsAutoimmune arthritis.Multiple sclerosis.Lupus.Infertility.Allergic neuritis (nerve inflammation that can lead to paralysis)Allergic uveitis (eye muscle inflammation that can compress the optic nerve and lead to blindness)Congenital disabilities in children.Neurological damage.More items...•
Why did they stop giving the anthrax vaccine?
DoD launched a program in 1998 to inoculate all troops against anthrax. The program was cut back to a few select units in 2000 because of a vaccine shortage due to the manufacturer's difficulty in gaining Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its operation after a plant renovation.
Who should not get the anthrax vaccine?
Anthrax vaccine should not be administered to: A person who has ever had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose or to a vaccine component. Pregnant women when the risk to anthrax exposure is low.
Is anthrax vaccine a live virus?
Composition of the Anthrax Vaccine Each dose also includes the following preservatives: 25 micrograms per milliliter (µg/mL) benzethonium chloride and 100 µg/mL formaldehyde. The vaccine contains no dead or live bacteria.
How long does the anthrax vaccine stay in your system?
Pre-exposure In addition to the initial three doses, boosters are recommended every 12 months after the final dose. Because immunity can decline over time, boosters can provide ongoing protection to people who may be exposed to anthrax.
Does the Army still give anthrax vaccine?
In December 2003, the Department of Justice ruled that the military could not force servicemembers to have the anthrax vaccine, and the program was again shut down.
Why was the anthrax vaccine mandatory?
Overview. The vaccination requirement was instituted in 1998 because of concerns that anthrax could be used as a biological weapon (see anthrax weaponization). Secretary of Defense William Cohen stated that "anthrax poses a clear and present danger to our armed forces.
Can anthrax cause permanent damage?
A new study shows 15 people infected with anthrax during the attacks continue to report significant health problems, psychological distress, and trouble readjusting to life at least a year after the terrorist attacks involving the U.S. Postal Service in the fall of 2001.
Can I donate blood if I had the anthrax vaccine?
No plasma donations are allowed for 2 weeks following the vaccination. Between 14-42 days post-vaccination, you can donate as an anthrax plasma donor eight times. Donors with high antibody levels may qualify for additional collections.
When did the military give anthrax vaccine?
In the 1990s, increased concern about the use of biological weapons led the Department of Defense (DoD) to begin vaccination of U.S. military personnel. Some troops were given anthrax vaccine in the 1991 Gulf War, and a large program to vaccinate all service members was begun in 1998.
Is anthrax vaccine mandatory in the military?
Oct 28, 2004 (CIDRAP News) – The Department of Defense (DoD) has suspended its anthrax vaccination program in response to a federal court ruling that military personnel should not have to accept the shots against their will unless the president orders them to do so.