What are the side effects of the anthrax vaccine?
Like all vaccines, anthrax vaccine can cause soreness, redness, itching, swelling, and lumps at the injection site. Beyond the injection site, some will notice rashes (an average of 16 percent), headaches (14 percent to 25 percent), joint aches (12 percent to 15 percent), malaise (6 percent to 17 percent), muscle aches (3 percent to 34 percent), nausea (3 percent to 9 percent), chills (2 percent to 6 percent), fever (1 percent to 5 percent). These symptoms usually go away after a few days. The rates of these reactions are similar to those experienced by recipients of other common vaccines. Q: Is the anthrax vaccine regimen discontinued for troops who develop symptoms of the disease or who have an adverse reaction? A: The anthrax vaccine does not contain bacillus anthracis bacteria, and does not cause anthrax. Immunity from natural anthrax infection is lifelong. Vaccine-associated adverse reactions are managed through the military health system and medical exemptions are granted by the
