The Anthrax Vaccine
Probably the best protection against anthrax infection is by inoculation of the anthrax vaccine, prior to exposure. One very big problem, however -- there simply is not enough vaccine available.
The anthrax vaccine is manufactured and distributed by BioPort, Corporation, Lansing, Michigan. The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it contains no dead or live bacteria in the preparation. The vaccine was developed in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s for humans and was licensed by the FDA in 1970. Since 1970, it has been routinely administered to at-risk wool mill workers, veterinarians, laboratory workers, livestock handlers. In the early 1990s, the Department of Defense began inoculating members of the United States Military.
Some current and former members of the military have claimed that the anthrax vaccine is the cause of severe and potentially disabling medical problems. In fact, over 400 military members have been court-martialed or discharged for refusing to be vaccinated. Both the FDA and Department of Defense officially state that adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine are no greater than any other vaccine.
Many critics state that the vaccine has not been properly tested against inhalation anthrax (the kind most likely used as a terrorist weapon). This is true. Obviously, nobody is going to intentionally infect subjects with inhalation anthrax to see if the vaccine is effective or not (any volunteers?).
However, several tests have been conducted using Rhesus monkeys, and these tests indicate that the vaccine is pretty effective:
25 monkeys vaccinated with 2 doses.
Challenged with anthrax aerosol 8-38 weeks later
All Survived
10 monkeys vaccinated at 0 & 2 weeks
Challenged with anthrax aerosol 2 years later
9 Survived
10 monkeys vaccinated only one time
Challenged with anthrax aerosol 6 weeks later
All Survived
20 monkeys vaccinated at 0 and 4 weeks
Challenged with anthrax aerosol 10 to 20 weeks later
18 survived
When DOD decided to begin vaccinating all military members, their facilities (FDA approved) were not large enough to keep up with the demand. So, BioPort determined they needed to renovate. Then they made a mistake. They dismantled their old production facility before starting on the renovation, and they have -- so far -- had a whale of a time trying to get the new production equipment approved by the FDA.
The FDA conducted a pre-approval inspection of the newly renovated production facility at BioPort in November 1999. The FDA inspection reported 30 observations to BioPort Management that need to be corrected as well as identified initial process validation that needed to be addressed for FDA to approve the new facility. No lot of vaccine produced in the new renovated facility will be submitted to the FDA for release until BLA supplement approval is achieved, currently anticipated early 2002.
So, until *at least* early 2002, there simply won't be anymore anthrax vaccine produced in the United States.
Antibiotics
At this time, this is probably our only defense. The antibiotic Cipro is effective in treating anthrax infection if administered fairly quickly after exposure. I need to emphasize that nobody should take this (or any other medication) "just in case." Any antibiotic, if it is used unnecessarily, then it makes it more likely that a bacteria could become resistant. This would make it harder to treat a real infection.
So, what should one do to protect themselves in advance? Not much, really. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "Based on what we know right now, there is no need for people to take any extraordinary actions or steps. They should not go to a doctor or hospital unless they are sick. They should not buy and horde medicines or antibiotics. They should not buy gas masks." What one can do is what one does to prepare for any possible emergency. Stock up on about 10 days supply of canned goods and water.
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Much of the Above Information Courtesy of DOD and the CDC
