INFORMATION ABOUT BOTULINUM VACCINE

File: 970327_sep96_decls6_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 1

Subject = INFORMATION ABOUT BOTULINUM VACCINE

Folder Title = FOLDER 4- BIOLOGIC WARFARE BACKGROUND

Parent Organization = BUMED

Unit = VAR. BUMED

Box ID = BX303824

File Cabinet = Week-56

File Room = sep96_classified

INFORMATION ABOUT BOTULINUM VACCINE

You are being given a vaccine called botulinum toxoid because you are
considered at risk of exposure to botulism. Botulism can cause serious
paralysis or death. It Is caused by toxins that interfere with the normal
transmission of nerve signals. Botulism can arise fromi (a) contaminated
food and water, (b) contaminated wounds, or (c) a biological warfare attack.
Symptoms of botulism can begin as early as three hours or as late as several
days after exposure to the toxin. Symptoms include blurred vision,
generalized weakness, difficulty in swallowing and talking. Treatment after
exposure is primarily supportive and there is an antitoxin/antidote which may
be beneficial. Your primary protection against botulinum toxin La the use of
your chemical protective mask and overgarment. Vaccination with botulinum
toxoid is expected to provide additional protection for individuals exposed to
the toxin. However, no vaccine is 100% effective. No other vaccine is
available which can give you this protection.

I-R'S This is an Investigational (not yet iicensed) vaccine that has been
safely given to over 3,000 laboratory w ,orkers and scientists over the past 25
years. It will be administered as a series of three injections under the
supervision of qualified medical personnel.
I
About 92% of people who are vaccinated report no significant side
effects beyond the local pain experienced at the time the vaccine is given.
However, like other vaccines you have been given, this one may have some side
effects. Side effects occur in 4% to 6% of people. when they occur, they are
usually at the site of injection and include pain, tenderness, swelling,
redness, and/or itching. All these are con-non sympto.,ne with the typhoid
vaccine you have already received. The number of these local reactions tends
to increase after the first injection. Rarely an individual may develop a
small lump at the injection site which lasts for several days to weeks before
going away. Local reactions that can I"nterfere with performance of your
duties are very uncofflnon. Generalized reactions may include fever, tiredness,
headache and/or muscle pain and occur in less than It of people. Rarely (less
than I in 1,000 injections) an individual may be unable to perform duties for
a day or two. As with any vaccination, a very rare, unexpected, potentially
severe, side effect not previously observed could occur. If you are pregnant
it is not known if this vaccine will harm your unborn baby. However, Most
vaccines do not harm an unborn baby when given to the mother.

If a reaction that worries you occurs after you leave the area where the
vaccine was given you would report to Bick call.

I have read and understand the information above on the botulinum toxoid
vaccine. I voluntarily submit to the series of vaccines.

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Document 1 f:/Week-56/BX303824/FOLDER 4- BIOLOGIC WARFARE BACKGROUND/information about botulinum vaccine:0324971041599
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-56
Box ID = BX303824
Unit = VAR. BUMED
Parent Organization = BUMED
Folder Title = FOLDER 4- BIOLOGIC WARFARE BACKGROUND
Folder Seq # = 4
Subject = INFORMATION ABOUT BOTULINUM VACCINE
Document Seq # = 10
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 24-MAR-1997