Can civilians get an Anthrax vaccine?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Can civilians get an Anthrax vaccine?

Posted: 9/16/2001 5:29:59 PM EDT

Can civilians get an Anthrax vaccine? What are the side effects? Safe for children? Safe for pregnant women? What level of protection does it provide? Costs? TIA

Tate

Posted: 9/16/2001 6:03:43 PM EDT

[#1]

Tate-

Have done my own little study regarding vaccines for anthrax, and my personal opinion is that it is in fact hazardous, especially for kids, the elderly, and would emphatically stress that no pregnant women should be innoculated. Side effects were severe joint pain, sustained fever, and even temporary paralysis as a result of healthy servicemen being treated, among others, and the actual effectiveness of the vaccine itself is in doubt. Long term side effects are still being studied. Save your money, and be smart about exposure to any chemical agents that could be introduced into a theater of conflict. Sorry I can't provide any more details, this is just something I very un-scientifically collected over a period of time, but I'm sure there's plenty of valid research to be found here in Cyberia.

Best of luck, and Semper Fi.

Arq12

Posted: 9/16/2001 6:22:22 PM EDT

[#2]

Arquebus12
PLease stop spreading the urban myths in regard to that vaccine. I was directly related to the human trials on the vaccine at ft detrick. The worst any of our rearch voluteers had was localized swelling and minor flu like symptoms for a day or 2. The ANTHRAX vaccine is not related to gulf war syndrome.

Tate,
i am sure it is available as farm workers have been able to get it for a good while. I myself had the vaccines in the army with no ill affects. Other than some swelling at the sites. Like all vaccines kids, pregnant women, and the elderly will be more sensitive.
Just keep in mind if Biologicals are used antrax may well be the least of our worries.

Posted: 9/16/2001 6:40:01 PM EDT

[#3]

Thank you both for the info. I'm aware that avoiding exposure is the key and am also aware that we could be facing a situation in the future where we WISH that the agent had been anthrax. Any other info from our estute members?

Tate

Posted: 9/16/2001 7:03:57 PM EDT

[#4]

all you could ever want to know about anthrax.

[url]http://www.anthrax.osd.mil/[/url]

mike

Posted: 9/17/2001 12:48:52 AM EDT

[#5]

The problem is that the vaccine doesn't protect against all strains of the disease and biowar engineered anthrax comes in all different flavors.

Posted: 9/17/2001 2:19:23 AM EDT

[#6]

The only person I'd give that vaccine to is Bin Laden, preferably in suppository form. I wouldn't use it. Stock up on penicillin or Keflex (cephalexin) tablets. 500 mg four times daily for at least two weeks is the regimen for inhalational anthrax; there are several resources available that describe the progression of the disease and what to look out for.

shooter

Posted: 9/17/2001 4:11:36 AM EDT

[#7]

Ditto on the Cephalexin... I stocked a bunch of meds for Y2K just in case...

M.

Posted: 9/17/2001 5:00:47 AM EDT

[#8]

actually without the vacination anthrax is considered 90% fatal for inhaltion. By the time you show symptoms it's pretty much to late for antibiotics to do much good. Your best defense is the vaccination. In rhesus monkey trials 62 of 65 survived and recovered with no treatment and inhalation exposure. Vs. 0 of 46 that were not vacinated. I would say that proves effeciveness.

Anthrax is a bacterial infection not a virus. Mutation rates are much slower and the vaccine IS extreamly effective for this disease. If you are worried about this type of attack get your imunization now. It take multiple injections a few weeks apart. The longer you wait the weaker your immune response will be.

As for problems sheep workers have been getting this since the 70's or so. There have been few reported problems with them.

mike

Posted: 9/17/2001 1:30:28 PM EDT

[#9]

Beer Slayer-

Tate asked my opinion, and I gave it. As I stated, I did my own research, and am not in the habit of spreading "urban myths". You don't like what I say? Then show some respect if you absolutely feel like you just have to criticize. I would never categorically dismiss someone else's take with a blanket statement such as yours; but then manners and tact were stressed in my upbringing, something you obviously missed out on, you turnip.

Suck an egg.

Posted: 9/17/2001 1:37:30 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Beer Slayer-

Tate asked my opinion, and I gave it. As I stated, I did my own research, and am not in the habit of spreading "urban myths". You don't like what I say? Then show some respect if you absolutely feel like you just have to criticize. I would never categorically dismiss someone else's take with a blanket statement such as yours; but then manners and tact were stressed in my upbringing, something you obviously missed out on, you turnip.

Suck an egg.

View Quote

And normally i would have no problem with respect to someones opinion. But an uniformed opinion in this circumstance could cost a life. Anthrax is a very real very deadly threat. As for manners, nothing in my previous post was derogatory towards you personally. I did ask that you not spread rumors which was primarily what your post appeared to be based on. In the spirit of your weak minded flame.
Bite me

mike

Posted: 9/17/2001 1:46:18 PM EDT

[#11]

Where can you get the anthrax vaccine? This doesn't seem like something most doctors would stock....

Also, where can you get large quantities of antibiotics?

John

Posted: 9/17/2001 1:51:56 PM EDT

[#12]

your doctor should be able to provide it. If not the local health department can. It is a readily available vaccine for farm workers so it should be easy to find. Stocking Antibiotics is a debatable thing to do. Most have a very limited shelf life and improper use can do as much harm as good. Medical care and personel will be available should it be needed. there may be lines and waits but i have serious doubt about a lack of care.

Posted: 9/17/2001 1:56:55 PM EDT

[#13]

BS-

"As for manners, nothing was derogatory to you personally."

Would you have said "Stop spreading urban myths" in person, in a mixed-company conversation directly? Again, tact and manners applies, and again, you missed them both.

"I did ask you not to spread rumors..."

No, you didn't. You said "Stop spreading urban myths..." Look at it again; you didn't ask anything.

"...which was primarily what your post appeared to be based on."

Amazing. How do you know the extent of my research? That's a broad move on your part, to just assume that this is all based on hearsay. I gave no references to my research, and yet you dismiss them out of hand, attributing them to rumor. You're showing your ass, at this point, especially with the unasked for reference to GWS.

That's enough for now...Take care in choosing what you dismiss as uninformed opinion, and what you really believe to be fact; it's a dangerous leap of assumed faith in one's sense of intellect.

BTW, Fuck you. If you care to, I'll indulge you further.

Have an efficient day.

Arq12

Posted: 9/17/2001 2:12:34 PM EDT

[#14]

Had you actually done any serious research on the vaccine you would have found exactly what i have stated here. Your "own little study" i am very sure lacked any scientific observation at all. Most likely related to bullshit comments passed around the rear aid station by guys looking for an excuse to buck the system or get out of service.

Did you actually read my post? I stated your opinion is fine. But when your opinion could cause someone to die by not acting in an educated manner your opinion becomes a hazard. We have enough problems right now without some armchair commano like you getting his panties in a wad. And yes as a matter of fact i would have made that same statement to your face in mixed company if i know for a fact your information is incorrect. Nothing there was offensive except to some ignorant slob that has no idea what he is talking about.
Out of respect for tate's question i refuse to flame you here as this is an important topic that needs good info. Feel free to start a new thread and pay homage to the flame gods.

Posted: 9/17/2001 2:38:02 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Had you actually done any serious research on the vaccine you would have found exactly what i have stated here. Your "own little study" i am very sure lacked any scientific observation at all. Most likely related to bullshit comments passed around the rear aid station by guys looking for an excuse to buck the system or get out of service.

Did you actually read my post? I stated your opinion is fine. But when your opinion could cause someone to die by not acting in an educated manner your opinion becomes a hazard. We have enough problems right now without some armchair commano like you getting his panties in a wad. And yes as a matter of fact i would have made that same statement to your face in mixed company if i know for a fact your information is incorrect. Nothing there was offensive except to some ignorant slob that has no idea what he is talking about.
Out of respect for tate's question i refuse to flame you here as this is an important topic that needs good info. Feel free to start a new thread and pay homage to the flame gods.

View Quote

Reread my post again, smart guy, and take your time. Sound out all the words. I took you to task over your manners, which you have reaffirmed are in fact lacking. Look for the part where I said that my methods were very unscientific, (my exact words), then do a quick scan of your own post. We're beyond the content of argument at this point, and not discussing the validity of one's observations, but your obvious dearth of any redeeming social graces. Of course, I'll let it pass if I were to receive an acknowledgement of a faux pas committed by yourself in the midst of meaningful conversation by others seeking important medical advice.

Chew on that, and start another thread yourself, if you care to. As stated, I'll indulge you further, should you so desire, but by your own admissions I think I've made my point nicely.

Au revoir...

Arq12