Formulary
Anthrax vaccine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Anthrax vaccine is an inactivated vaccine containing antigens from Bacillus anthracis adsorbed onto an adjuvant.
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Anthrax vaccine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Anthrax vaccine is an inactivated vaccine containing antigens from Bacillus anthracis adsorbed onto an adjuvant.
Drug action
Anthrax vaccine is an inactivated vaccine containing antigens from Bacillus anthracis adsorbed onto an adjuvant.
Indications and dose
**Immunisation against anthrax**
- **Adult** (By Intramuscular Injection): Initially 0.5 mL every 3 weeks for 3 doses, followed by 0.5 mL after 6 months, to be administered in the deltoid region.
**Booster**
- **Adult** (By Intramuscular Injection): 0.5 mL every 10 years for up to 3 doses, to be administered in deltoid region.
Cautions
For all vaccines, general Acute illness; minor illnesses Cautions, further information Illness UKHSA advises vaccination may be postponed if the individual is suffering from an acute illness; however, it is not necessary to postpone immunisation in patients with minor illnesses without fever or systemic upset. Predisposition to neurological problems UKHSA advises: when there is a personal or family history of febrile convulsions, there is an increased risk of these occurring during fever from any cause including immunisation, but this is not a contra-indication to immunisation. In children who have had a seizure associated with fever without neurological deterioration, immunisation is recommended ; advice on the management of fever should be given before immunisation. When a child has had a convulsion not associated with fever, and the neurological condition is not deteriorating, immunisation is recommended ; children with stable neurological disorders (e.g. spina bifida, congenital brain abnormality, and peri-natal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy) should be immunised according to the recommended schedule; when there is a still evolving neurological problem , including poorly controlled epilepsy, immunisation should be deferred and the child referred to a specialist. Immunisation is recommended if a cause for the neurological disorder is identified. If a cause is not identified, immunisation should be deferred until the condition is stable. Impaired immune response and drugs affecting immune response Immune response to vaccines may be reduced in immunosuppressed patients, UKHSA advises consider seeking specialist advice.
Side effects
For all vaccines, general Common or very common Abdominal pain; appetite decreased; arthralgia; diarrhoea; dizziness; fatigue; fever; headache; lymphadenopathy; malaise; myalgia; nausea; skin reactions; vomiting Uncommon Hypersensitivity Side-effects For anthrax vaccine Common or very common Febrile disorders; influenza like illness Rare or very rare Angioedema; asthenia; hyperhidrosis; paraesthesia Frequency not known Bronchospasm; circulatory collapse; hypotension
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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