The Voluntary Immunisation Programme (VIP) Against Anthrax

Anthrax is an infectious disease that can kill. The UK continues to have concerns about the proliferation of biological weapons and takes seriously the threat which they pose to UK forces.

Anthrax has a number of characteristics that would make it an attractive choice as a biological weapon and a number of countries are known to have developed the capability to use anthrax in this way.

The best single way to protect against many diseases is via immunisation and a vaccine against anthrax has been licensed for use in the UK since 1979.

In May 2001, the UK MOD resumed its Voluntary Immunisation Programme (VIP) against anthrax for military and civilian personnel. Due to limited vaccine stocks, the programme initially only included military and civilian personnel deployed on operations to the Gulf region and in specialist Nuclear, Chemical & Biological (NBC) units.

In June 2002, as new supplies of the vaccine became available, the MOD was able to expand the programme so that eventually all UK Service personnel including reservists, and those essential civilians who could deploy on operations overseas, will be routinely offered immunisation against anthrax. The programme will be rolled out over the next few years, starting with those units at highest readiness.

Anthrax immunisation forms an integral part of personnel’s overall protection system against biological weapons.

Other elements include detection, warning and reporting, physical protection (respirators etc.), hazard management and other medical countermeasures like antibiotics.

Used together with immunisation, these measures will ensure that personnel have the very best level of protection possible against anthrax.