Prevention

Key points

  • If you think you've been exposed to anthrax, see a healthcare professional immediately.
  • Getting a vaccine or taking certain antibiotics after exposure to anthrax can help prevent illness. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis.
  • Some people are at greater risk for anthrax because of their jobs; they're recommended to get vaccine before they're exposed. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Doctor writes on a pad behind two bottles of pills

Overview

Anthrax is rare, and most people will never be exposed to it. However, people with certain jobs, hobbies, and activities may have a higher risk of exposure. Some people at higher risk are recommended to get vaccine to protect against the disease before they're exposed.

Anthrax can be deadly if you don't take action quickly after exposure. It is important to know how to protect yourself and others around you if you are exposed to anthrax, including during a bioterrorism event.

Anthrax is not contagious, which means you can't catch it from another person like the cold or flu.

Preventing anthrax before you're exposed

Most people will never be exposed to anthrax. However, there are jobs, hobbies, and activities that can put some people at higher risk of exposure. These people may be recommended to get anthrax vaccine. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Routine occupational use

The anthrax vaccine is approved for adults ages 18 to 65 years in certain jobs. People who get the vaccine will get 5 shots over 18 months and will get yearly boosters for protection. Anthrax vaccine is recommended for the following people:

  • Certain laboratory workers who work with anthrax
  • Some members of the United States military
  • People whose jobs are handling animals or animal products

People with the following conditions should not get the vaccine:

  • Pregnancy
  • Serious allergic reaction to the anthrax vaccine
  • Severe allergy to any part of the anthrax vaccine

People with other severe allergies should tell their doctor about their allergies before getting the vaccine.

If anthrax vaccine is recommended or required by your employer because of your job responsibilities, you should ask your employer if they offer the vaccine or to refer you to a clinic in your community where the vaccine is available. You can also contact your state health department to learn more about where to get the vaccine in your community if it is recommended for you.

Preventing anthrax if you're exposed

Vaccine

Sometimes anthrax vaccine is recommended for people who may have been exposed to anthrax. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). There are two types of anthrax vaccines approved by the FDA for people ages 18 to 65 after possible anthrax exposure:

  • Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (BioThrax®), which consists of 3 shots of anthrax vaccine over 4 weeks
  • Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed adjuvanted (CYFENDUS), which consists of 2 shots of anthrax vaccine given 2 weeks apart

In an emergency, public health officials will provide information on who should get the vaccine. People with a past serious allergic reaction to the anthrax vaccine or anyone who has an allergy to one of the ingredients in the vaccine should not get the vaccine. Your healthcare professional can tell you about the vaccine's ingredients. These individuals should take antibiotics for 60 days.

Antibiotics

Anthrax is a disease caused by bacteria, and it can be prevented by taking certain antibiotics after exposure as an added precaution to prevent you from getting sick with anthrax. This is another form of PEP. If a person was exposed to anthrax and received an anthrax vaccine, they will also get antibiotics for up to 60 days.

In an emergency

If there is an anthrax emergency, you will likely be given an antibiotic because you may have breathed in anthrax bacteria. To reduce your chance of getting sick and dying from anthrax, you may receive:

Public health officials will provide information on who should get the medicine. It's important to take one of these medicines as soon as possible after the emergency starts. If you have questions, talk to a healthcare provider.

People who may have breathed in anthrax bacteria should take one of the medicines twice a day for up to 60 days. Most people will be given a 10-day supply to start. Public health officials will tell you whether you need more and how to get it. To reduce your chance of getting sick, take the medicine as long as you are directed and don't stop it early.

Resources

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID); About Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology