VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many Vaccine Information Statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

1 Why get vaccinated?

Anthrax vaccine can prevent anthrax.

People can get anthrax disease from contact with 

infected animals or contaminated animal products 

such as wool, meat, or hides. The anthrax bacteria 

could also be used as a biological weapon.

Anthrax is not spread from person to person. It is 

spread in one of four ways, and signs and symptoms 

can vary depending on how anthrax enters the body:

 Through breaks in the skin. Cutaneous anthrax 

causes blisters or bumps on the skin, swelling 

around the sore, and a painless skin sore (ulcer) 

with a black center. The sore is usually on the face, 

neck, arms, or hands.

 From eating infected meat. Ingestion anthrax can 

cause fever and chills. It can affect the upper part 

of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the lower part 

of the GI tract, or both. When it affects the upper 

part, there is swelling of the neck or neck glands, 

sore throat, and painful swallowing or difficulty 

breathing. When it affects the lower GI tract, 

nausea and vomiting, stomach pain and swelling, 

and diarrhea may be present. The patient may also 

look flushed (red), have red eyes, or faint.

 From inhaling spores of the bacteria that causes 

anthrax. Inhalation anthrax can cause shortness of 

breath, cough, chest discomfort, confusion, nausea 

or vomiting, stomachache, sweats, and dizziness.

 From injecting heroin. Injection anthrax can 

result in swelling at the injection site, nausea and 

vomiting, and sweats.

All types of anthrax can cause fever, chills, fatigue, 

and headache. Anthrax can spread throughout 

the body and cause severe illness, including brain 

infections and even death, if left untreated.

2 Anthrax vaccine

Anthrax vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) and recommended for 

adults 18 through 65 years of age who are at risk of 

exposure to anthrax bacteria, including:

 Certain laboratory workers who work with Bacillus 

anthracis

 People who handle potentially infected animals or 

their carcasses

 Some military personnel (determined by the 

Department of Defense)

 Some emergency and other responders whose 

response activities might lead to exposure

These people should get 3 doses of anthrax vaccine, 

followed by booster doses for ongoing protection.

Anthrax vaccine is also recommended for 

unvaccinated people of all ages who have been 

exposed to anthrax. These people should get 3 doses 

of anthrax vaccine together with recommended 

antibiotic drugs.

Anthrax vaccine has not been studied or used in 

children less than 18 years of age. Because its use in 

exposed children is not approved by FDA, it must be 

used under an expanded access Investigational New 

Drug (IND) program and requires informed consent 

from a parent or legal guardian.

Anthrax Vaccine:

What You Need to Know
3 Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of anthrax vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies.

 Is pregnant or thinks she might be pregnant.

 Has a weakened immune system.

 Has a history of anthrax disease.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone anthrax vaccination to a future visit.

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

anthrax vaccine.

If you are receiving the vaccine because you have 

been exposed to anthrax, tell your health care 

provider if you are not feeling well. You might need 

immediate medical care.

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

4 Risks of a vaccine reaction

After getting a shot of anthrax vaccine, you may 

have:

 Tenderness, redness, itching, or a lump or bruise 

where the shot is given

 Muscle aches or short-term trouble moving 

your arm

 Headaches or fatigue

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

5 What if there is a serious 

problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated 

person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a 

severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face 

and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, 

dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person 

to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS 

is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not 

give medical advice.

6 Countermeasures Injury 

Compensation Program

The Countermeasures Injury Compensation 

Program is a federal program that may help pay for 

costs of medical care and other specific expenses 

of certain people who have been seriously injured 

by certain medicines or vaccines. If you have been 

injured by the anthrax vaccine, you can learn more 

about this Program by visiting the program’s website 

at www.hrsa.gov/cicp, or calling 1-855-266-2427.

7 How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

-Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

-Visit CDC’s anthrax website at 

www.cdc.gov/anthrax

01/08/2020

Vaccine Information Statement

Anthrax Vaccine

Office use only