Anthrax (CPB 0483, reviewed 2026-07-29)
Aetna considers anthrax vaccine medically necessary for pre-exposure prophylaxis in the groups the CDC's ACIP recommends, including decontamination personnel, laboratory workers who handle Bacillus anthracis, and military personnel deployed to high-risk areas. Anthrax vaccination for post-exposure prophylaxis is medically necessary after aerosolized exposure, while a single intravenous antitoxin dose is medically necessary for post-exposure prophylaxis only when antimicrobial drugs are not appropriate or not available. Anthrax vaccine and intravenous antitoxin drugs (raxibacumab, obiltoxaximab or AIGIV) are considered experimental, investigational, or unproven for all other indications.