http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35061-2001Dec12.html
CDC Gets
Pentagon's Anthrax Vaccine
Officials to Use Medicine to Treat Those at
Risk of Infection
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By Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 13, 2001; Page A10
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received permission to
use the controversial vaccine in tightly controlled experiments to either
inoculate high-risk workers or treat individuals who were recently exposed to
the deadly bacteria, Bradley Perkins, a top anthrax researcher at the CDC, said
yesterday.
The plan, which is still under review, signals continued concern among
public health authorities that anthrax remains a very real threat. In addition
to the possibility of future attacks, officials are worried about the hundreds
of people exposed to anthrax bacteria in last fall's bioterrorist incidents who
failed to complete a 60-day prescription to prevent the illness.
Although there is little solid evidence, researchers estimate anthrax spores
can survive in the body for 60 days. That means that people who discontinue
antibiotics prematurely could later develop the disease, and may not respond to
another round of the drugs.
In addition to protecting against initial infection with the bacteria,
officials suspect that the vaccine may work in treating anthrax victims in
cases where an antibiotic is halted early or fails to work initially. "If
we have any evidence of failure," such as a new case of anthrax disease,
"the vaccine is available as a contingency," Perkins said.
Behind the scenes, Bush administration officials are involved in feverish
negotiations over who should be vaccinated immediately. Calls to the Department
of Health and Human Services were not returned yesterday.
Earlier this fall, at the height of the anthrax attacks, the CDC said it
intended to inoculate about 1,000 laboratory workers and field investigators
who are most likely to come into contact with anthrax bacteria. Others groups,
such as the U.S. Postal Service and emergency rescue workers, expressed a
desire for similar protection.
Depending on how the vaccine is used -- as a preventive measure or for
post-exposure treatment -- health officials could inoculate 36,000 to 73,000
people, Perkins said. At least 32,000 people were initially given anti-anthrax
medication. Anecdotal reports from postal workers in particular suggest 25
percent to 75 percent of the patients instructed to take a full course of
medicine have chosen not to, often because of the unpleasant side effects.
"One of our biggest concerns is people who didn't take the full
course," CDC Director Jeffrey Koplan said. "They really need to take
all of those antibiotics that were available to them, because that's what kills
those lingering spores when they turn into bacteria."
Although there has not been a new anthrax case since the mysterious death of
Ottilie Lundgren in Connecticut on Nov. 21, the nation's public health leaders
are aggressively pursuing potential new weapons against the disease.
Private and government researchers are studying possible antidotes and the
behavior of the anthrax used in the attacks. But the vaccine is the most
promising short-term hope.
Perkins said the CDC "worked closely with FDA in developing" the
protocols for testing new uses of the anthrax vaccine, which is made by BioPort
Corp. Anyone given the vaccine must provide informed consent and agree to
thorough follow-up, he explained. The purpose is to both monitor the vaccine's
safety and collect data.
Currently, the Department of Defense controls the nation's vaccine
stockpile. In 1998 and 1999, about 400,000 military personnel were vaccinated
against anthrax. But many soldiers, complaining of unpleasant side effects,
have balked at taking the six shots over 18 months, and safety problems at
BioPort's plant in Michigan have drastically slowed the vaccination program.
BioPort hopes to have its refurbished plant inspected by the FDA this month,
which could mean the release of as many as 5 million doses of quarantined
vaccine.
Meanwhile, the House yesterday approved bipartisan legislation by an
overwhelming margin that authorized billions of dollars to guard against a
future bioterrorist act.
The bill, which passed 418 to 2, would give $1 billion to HHS to bolster the
nation's stockpile of antidotes and vaccines; another $1 billion in grants to
state and local governments along with public and private health facilities for
preparedness programs; $450 million for CDC; $100 million for FDA and $100
million to protect the nation's drinking water supply.
Staff writer Juliet Eilperin contributed to this report.
© 2001
The Washington Post Company
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