is caused by the Protective Antigen in the vaccine derived from the culture filtrate of an avirulent (non-disease causing) strain of B. anthracis. It is not possible to contract anthrax from the vaccine. Live, attenuated viral vaccines, such as rubella, can cause disease.
             The vaccine uses aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant to boost the immunogenicity effect. Preservatives are 0.02% formaldehyde and 0.0025% benzethonium chloride. These components are used in many of the vaccines used routinely worldwide.
             In November 1970, the Division of Biologics Standards (NIH) approved the vaccine for human use in the United States. The FDA approved schedule for the vaccine includes six doses in the primary series. The first three doses are given at two week intervals followed by three doses at six month intervals from the initial vaccination. Annual vaccines are then required to maintain high levels of immunity. Approximately 68,000 doses were given to civilians, mostly veterinarians, from 1970 to 1989. The initial mass immunization of the m
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