Assessing the safety of anthrax immunization in US Army aircrew members via physical examination.
OBJECTIVE
Anthrax in weaponized form is the bioterrorism agent of most concern. Questions raised about the safety of the anthrax vaccine can be addressed by comparing immunized and unimmunized people in population-based studies.


METHODS
A retrospective evaluation of data from periodic physical examinations collected on anthrax-immunized and -unimmunized US Army aircrew members between 1998 and 2005 was performed to evaluate the safety of anthrax immunization. Mean changes in variables found on physical examination and laboratory analysis were compared by use of t tests. Multiple linear regression predicted change in outcome from baseline characteristics.


RESULTS
We compared 6,820 immunized subjects and 4,145 unimmunized controls based on US Army aircrew physical examination and screening laboratory tests. No association between anthrax immunization and a clinically relevant change in a tested physiologic parameter was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
No attributable risk of anthrax immunization was observed in this group of Army aircrew members.
Downing
Jill
J
Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. jill.downing@bmc.org
Greig
Thomas W
TW
Quattlebaum
Martin D
MD
Valentin
Manuel
M
Heeren
Timothy C
TC
Grabenstein
John D
JD
D000328:Adult; D000881:Anthrax / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001359:Aviation; D023482:Bioterrorism; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010808:Physical Examination; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States