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ANTHRAX VACCINE
PLASMA DONATION PROGRAM
Why do you need
plasma from vaccinated people?
Despite
available antibiotic treatments, there is still a significant mortality
rate from anthrax exposure. DCI has contracted with Cangene Corporation and
the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, the CDC, and BARDA (Biomedical
Advanced Research and Development Authority) to support "PROJECT
BIOSHIELD" in an effort to create a new medication specifically
engineered to fight anthrax infections.This medication, called Anthrax
Immune Globulin (or AIG) is made with the anthrax antibodies found in the
plasma of vaccinated individuals.
Why should I
participate?
The importance
of this donor program cannot be stressed enough. There is no alternative to
human volunteers as a source of these vital materials. Plasma, collected
from recent Anthrax vaccine recipients through a process called
plasmapheresis, contains Anthrax antibodies that are used to make Anthrax
Immune Globulin (or AIG). Without human volunteer donors, the national
supply of the Anthrax Immune Globulin medication will be critically low.
Will plasma
donors in this program be compensated?
Yes! Qualified
donors receive $100 per donation and $50 per qualified referral to this
program. Donors may donate plasma a maximum of 8 times in a 42 day period
following your vaccination. DCI has been authorized to administer the
vaccine to individuals who are due for another dose. The approved
vaccination schedule allows donors to be active in this program up to 2
times per year, for a total of 16 plasma donations.
What happens
when I donate Plasma?
If you qualify
to participate, you will be scheduled to visit a DCI Plasma center near
you. All DCI plasma centers are FDA licensed plasma collection facilities.
Our facilities meet the highest FDA standards, and all materials utilized
in the plasma collection process are completely sterile and disposed of
after each donation. Your plasma will be collected via a process called
Plasmapheresis. This procedure is similar to donating whole blood (i.e. Red
Cross). In the plasmapheresis process your whole blood is drawn, the
straw-colored plasma is separated from your red blood cells and your red
blood cells are returned immediately back to you. This process typically
leaves you without the blood donation side effects of being dizzy or weak.
Your body should regenerate this plasma within 24 hours. The FDA allows a
donor to donate up to twice in a seven day period of time.
Will donating
my plasma cause adverse reactions to future vaccinations for Anthrax?
No, Plasma
donation has never been found to cause adverse events after subsequent
vaccinations.
Who is in
charge of this project?
The Department
of Health and Human Service’s BARDA Office is administering this program
through the "PROJECT BIOSHIELD" initiative to support the
Strategic National Stockpile. The US Government became more interested in
Anthrax Immune Globulin after the anthrax bioterrorism attacks in the fall
of 2001.
Where do I find
out more about the AIG program?
Visit the
Cangene Corporation website at www.cangeneplasma.com
for more details about this critical program.
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