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Introduction to the Anthrax Vaccine Work Group
Brendan Jackson, MD, MPH
Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
Principal Deputy Director
Division of High -Consequence Pathogens and Pathology
June 26, 2025
Advisory Committee on Immunization PracticesNational Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
•Bacillus anthracis , the causative agent of anthrax, is an endospore -forming
bacterium found naturally in soil around the world
•Humans are most often infected by exposure to infected animals or animal
by-products via cutaneous, gastrointestinal, or inhalational routes
•Bacillus anthracis isa Tier 1 select agent
-Potential for use as a bioweapon
-High case fatality rate
-Ability to cause great harm to public health and safety, particularly when
aerosolizedPublic Health Problem
•Vaccine : Anthrax vaccine adsorbed, adjuvanted (AVA,A) ( Cyfendus )
-Second -generation anthrax vaccine
-Licensed in July of 2023 for post -exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following exposure
to Bacillus anthracis in adults aged 18 to 65
•Work Group Objective: Review existing safety and immunogenicity data to
develop recommendations for ACIP to consider for domestic use of AVA,A
for anthrax PEPAnthrax Vaccine Work Group
For more information, contact CDC
1-800-CDC-INFO (232 -4636)
TTY: 1 -888-232-6348 www.cdc.gov
The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official
position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thank you.