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Anthrax vaccinations mandatory for high-threat deployments

  • Published
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Anthrax vaccinations became mandatory March 19 for Air Force reservists who have or will deploy to a high-threat area for more than 15 days.

Mandatory vaccinations are limited to Airmen in specific high-threat areas - U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and the Korean peninsula - for more than 15 consecutive days. Other people such as emergency-essential and comparable Department of Defense civilian employees and certain contractors performing essential services may also be included in the program.

"Each vaccine lot is authorized for release by the Food and Drug Administration before shipment," said Lt. Col. Tim Bennett, command public health officer at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command here. "No other product is approved by the FDA to prevent anthrax before exposure."

The assistant secretary of defense for health affairs approved the Air Force plan for resuming mandatory anthrax vaccinations. The new Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program allows voluntary vaccinations for people who have received one or more previous anthrax shots and wish to continue the series.

After an extensive evaluation, the FDA re-issued a final order on the license status of the anthrax vaccine and again determined that the vaccine is licensed for the prevention of anthrax, regardless of the route of exposure. Taking the vaccine is consistent with good medical practice and personal protection, Colonel Bennett said.

In December 2005, anthrax vaccine was found to be safe and effective against all forms of anthrax, including inhalation anthrax. Over the course of the last 37 years the safety and effectiveness of the anthrax vaccine has been demonstrated. The anthrax vaccine is just as safe as other vaccines people normally receive over the course of their lives, he said.

The vaccine requires a series of six shots over the course of 18 months and a booster shot every year after that. According to the AVIP website, it is effective against the three types of anthrax infection - cutaneous through the skin, gastrointestinal by ingesting and inhalational by inhaling.

According to U.S. intelligence agencies, inhalational anthrax is the most likely bioweapon because anthrax spores are cheap and easy to produce. Anthrax spores can be stored for a long time, can be dispersed in a variety of ways and are difficult to detect. Inhalation anthrax is highly lethal and anthrax spores can cause widespread illness and death among unprotected people.

According to the Air Force implementation plan, people who have started the vaccination series and were deferred, for whatever reason, are not required or advised to start again at the beginning. Individuals will pick up the shot series where they left off. This practice is consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta.

"It is important not to compress this dosing schedule. Individuals should not get vaccinated too soon. Their bodies need time to build antibodies to the vaccine," Colonel Bennett said. "If they get doses too close together, they may not get the full protective value of the vaccine. Vaccinations should begin, to the extent feasible, up to 60 days prior to deployment or arrival in higher threat areas to provide the greatest protection."

People who are no longer deployed to a higher-threat area or no longer assigned to designated special mission roles can take the later vaccine doses on a voluntary basis.

Some people may qualify for a medical exemption. They include people with pre-existing medical conditions that kept them from receiving the anthrax vaccine and those who develop reactions while taking the vaccine series.

"Most people tolerate anthrax vaccination without significant reactions," Colonel Bennett said. "As with most vaccines, some may experience temporary pain and swelling in their arm at the site of the injection.

"If they have any concerns about a reaction, they should talk to a health-care provider," he said. "Pain relievers and anti-itch medications can be taken to help reduce bothersome symptoms. Adverse events after vaccination should be reported to a health care provider, especially before receiving any additional vaccinations."

Airmen can review their status on the Air Expeditionary Force online website https://aefcenter.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ and by going to "Deployment Information" and then the "Personal Deployment Preparedness" link. The login and status will be displayed, including any immunizations currently required in the "Action needs list." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)