They want to know how stable the product is to determine whether it can be weaponized. And they want to know whether the licensed anthrax vaccine can protect against it. The Institute of Medicine thinks so. The existing vaccine is made by growing the bacteria in a liquid. The bacteria secrete a protein, called P.A., into the liquid, and then the bacteria are filtered out.
Protection comes from the body's ability to develop immunity to the protein.
The Institute of Medicine committee believes a very effective two-dose vaccine is attainable. Gas masks also provide protection. And antibiotics can protect those exposed if they get them immediately after suspected exposure and for a very prolonged period of time. That treatment could be shortened by combining the antibiotics with vaccination, Friedlander said. Copyright 1999 Army Times Publishing Company.