Can the anthrax vaccine be administered in both pre- and postexposure settings?
The anthrax vaccine (BioThrax®) may be administered in both pre- and postexposure settings; however, dosage regimens vary. In the preexposure setting, the current dosing recommendation for the anthrax vaccine includes a total of 6 doses over an 18-month period. The initial 3 doses (0.5 mL/dose) are injected at 2-week intervals, with an additional 3 doses given 6, 12, and 18 months after the first dose. The anthrax vaccine is not licensed for postexposure prophylaxis of anthrax; however, 3 doses of vaccine may be administered in conjunction with appropriate antibiotic therapy. The initial dose should be given as soon as possible with the second and third doses administered at 2 and 4 weeks after the first dose, respectively. References: Grabenstein JD. Immunofacts: vaccines and immunologic drugs. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., 2004. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of anthrax vaccine in response to terrorism: supplemental recommendations of the advisory commi