Who Should Get the Anthrax Vaccine? A Risk-Based Guide

Anthrax vaccine is given to a person to protect him from anthrax disease. The anthrax vaccine used in some foreign countries does not contain Bacillus anthracis cells, due to which the risk of you getting anthrax due to the vaccine is reduced. In some developing countries, the anthrax vaccine was certified in 1970, which was re-tested and re-certified in the year 2008 for public use.

Based on the solid facts of this vaccine, it can be said that this vaccine protects you from anthrax transmitted through the skin and breath of an infected person.

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The anthrax vaccine dosage can be given to people between the ages of 18 and 65. Mainly the following people are more likely to get anthrax.

• People working in a lab, 
• People living with sick animals or treating them, 
• Soldiers working in certain conditions should be given an anthrax vaccine.

This vaccine can be given even after being infected with anthrax. 

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Time To Give Anthrax Vaccine-
The above mentioned people who are likely to get anthrax are given anthrax vaccine in five doses. It is advisable to give the first dose to the person as soon as there is a possibility of anthrax.

After this, the second dose is given after 4 weeks, the third dose after 6 weeks, the fourth dose after 12 weeks and the last dose in the 18th month. After this, for regular protection from anthrax, the person needs to take a booster dose every year. If you miss a dose of anthrax vaccine, take the next dose as soon as possible instead of restarting the vaccine. 

A normal person is given three doses of anthrax vaccine. The first dose is to be given as soon as possible, followed by the second dose after 2 weeks and the third dose after four weeks.

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Generally, the side effects of anthrax vaccine are very mild and they subside within a few days. Serious side effects from this vaccine are seen in very few cases. It is safe to apply this vaccine, but there are many cases in which the reactions of this vaccine can be serious. The common side effects of anthrax vaccine are described as follows:

• Swelling, redness and pain at the site of injection, 
• Lump or itching at the site of injection, 
• Pain in the muscles of the hand and difficulty in moving the hand. 
• Headache, 
• Feeling tired.

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Sometimes it is not advisable to take the anthrax vaccine in certain circumstances. Due to some disease or other health condition, doctors do not consider it appropriate to give this vaccine to infants or adults. Let us know further who should not be given the anthrax vaccine.

If a person has a fatal allergy to the previous dose of anthrax vaccine, then in such a situation the person should not take the vaccine again.

If a person has high fever while taking the vaccine, then in such a situation one should wait till he gets cured before taking the vaccine dose. Also, definitely talk to your doctor about this. 

People who have any kind of serious allergy to the element present in the anthrax vaccine should not take this vaccine. 

In case of GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Immune Disorders), anthrax vaccine should be given only after consulting a doctor.

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Anthrax vaccine is a special vaccine developed to prevent anthrax infection caused by bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. This infection can mainly affect the skin, lungs and digestive system and can sometimes be fatal. Anthrax vaccine is usually given to individuals who fall in the risk group, such as lab technicians, people working with animal products, and military personnel. The purpose of this vaccine is to strengthen the body's immune system and prevent the effects of infection. It is given under the supervision of a doctor and at prescribed intervals. Taking hygiene and safety measures along with the vaccine is essential to prevent infection.