Immunization Newsbriefs
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Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com) (
Bryan L. Martin of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and
co-researcher Renata Engler
have analyzed data from the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), a
nationwide U.S. database for side effects related to vaccines, without
conclusive evidence that the anthrax vaccine causes illness, according to their
report at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and
Immunology. More than 2 million doses of
the anthrax vaccine have been given out since 1998, with just 82 incidents of
severe adverse events deemed to be caused by the vaccine, noted the
researchers, who say typical side effects of the anthrax vaccine include
persistent headache, skin rash, ringing ears, and prolonged fatigue. Conclusive evidence about the anthrax vaccine
causing illness will be undetermined until around 10 million doses of the
vaccine are administered and results analyzed.
Patients who receive the vaccine and doctors should work together to
diligently report any events related to the injection to the VAERS for future
study.
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