Anthrax vaccine. Model of a response to the biologic warfare threat

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1999 Mar;13(1):187-208, viii. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5520(05)70050-7.

Abstract

Anthrax vaccine is being administered to all 2.4 million active duty, reserve, and National Guard troops, as prophylaxis against biologic warfare. The vaccine's effectiveness in this setting may be limited. This article discusses unresolved issues of safety, with an emphasis on the need for careful surveillance of vaccines used by the military, which has sidestepped the commercial process. Also considered are ethical issues related to the development and use of military biologics, as the United States Army advances its Joint Vaccine Acquisition Program, a plan to produce more than ten vaccines specifically for biologic warfare threat, and to administer them to all military servicemembers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthrax / prevention & control*
  • Bacillus anthracis / immunology*
  • Bacterial Vaccines*
  • Biological Warfare*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans

Substances

  • Bacterial Vaccines