SubscribeThe HPA is the sole manufacturer of the UK's licensed anthrax vaccine. The vaccine is manufactured for and on behalf of the UK Government.
It is supplied to the Department of Health for occupational health purposes and to the Ministry of Defence to protect service personnel from the use of anthrax as a biological weapon.
The product licence (PL 1511/0058) is held by the UK secretary of State for Health, Department of Health HP3A, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG.
The vaccine can also be supplied to other national governments, for more information please contact the Business Development Department via business@hpa.org.uk
Composition of the Vaccine
The active ingredient in the vaccine is a sterile filtrate of an alum precipitated anthrax antigen in a solution for injection. The other ingredients are aluminium potassium sulphate, sodium chloride and purified water. The preservative is thiomersal (0.005%).
Administration of the Vaccine
The vaccine is given by intramuscular injection and the primary course of four single injections is followed by a single booster dose given once a year.
First Injection - First week
Second Injection - 3 weeks after first injection
Third Injection - 3 weeks after second injection
Fourth Injection - 6 months after third injection
Precautions: No serious side effects have been reported. Reactions are uncommon but occasionally a mild rash or swelling at the site of injection or even at the site of an earlier injection may occur and last for a couple of days. More rarely, swollen glands, mild fever, flu-like symptoms, rash, itching or other allergic reactions may occur. The occurrence of a reaction after a first injection of the vaccine does not necessarily indicate a pre-disposition to subsequent reactions on further injections.