Anthrax vaccination mandatory for high-threat-area deployers Published March 20, 2007 By Compiled from staff reports 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The Department of Defense issued a new policy memo Oct. 12 requiring the individual services to begin mandatory anthrax vaccinations for individuals in selected high-threat areas or special-mission units. The DOD determined that these forward areas pose the highest threat for military forces so they must meet the mandatory anthrax vaccine measures. Additionally, personnel in designated special mission units, regardless of location, are also subject to mandatory anthrax vaccination. The Air Force developed its program guidance to comply with the DOD directive and issued service specific requirements in February with Implementation of the AVIP to begin no later than March 19. According to Major Moreno-Fergusson, 354th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medicine flight commander and medical officer-in-charge of the AVIP, the Eielson program has met all implementation requirements and effective March 19 the Medical Group began the administration of mandatory immunizations. Airmen who have orders to specific high-threat areas, such as CENTCOM or the Korean Peninsula, are examples of those who qualify for the mandatory anthrax vaccination, said Maj. Gabriel Moreno-Fergusson, 354th Medical Operations Squadron Aerospace Medicine Flight Commander. These Airmen must be on TDY or deployment for 15 days or more, Major Moreno-Fergusson said. The second key piece of the program is the voluntary aspect of the AVIP. This involves Airmen who have received at least one anthrax vaccine dose since 1998. Under the new guidelines, they can elect to continue getting the anthrax vaccinations in accordance with the dosing schedule whether or not they are (or will be) assigned to a designated high-threat area." Taking the vaccine voluntarily is consistent with good medical practice and personal protection. While we've identified two areas as the most likely locations for an Anthrax threat, we saw in 2001 with the anthrax exposures in the national capitol area that anthrax attacks could occur anywhere. Vaccination offers a layer of protection, in addition to antibiotics and other measures, that is critical for members of the armed forces. The anthrax vaccine was first licensed in the United States in 1970 for use primarily by veterinarians, farmers, laboratory technicians and others working with livestock. Between 1974 and 1989 over 64,000 doses were administered. The military first used the anthrax vaccine during the Gulf War in 1992, and routine immunization began in 1998. Since that time 1.4 million active duty members have received 5.7 million doses of the vaccine. The vaccine has been found to be as safe as other vaccines in common use over the 37 years since its development. In December 2005 The Food and Drug Administration released a final order regarding the anthrax vaccine. After reviewing extensive scientific evidence and carefully considering comments from the public, the FDA found that the anthrax vaccine is safe and effective in preventing anthrax disease regardless of the route of exposure, including inhalation anthrax. The Wing Commander ensures compliance with the AVIP by maintaining oversight and ownership of the installation's AVIP implementation program, said Lt. Col. Gregory Church, 353rd Combat Training Squadron, Eielson's AVIP Team Chairperson. "The mechanism General Scott uses to enforce the program is Eielson's AVIP Base Implementation Plan. This plan tasks Eielson's squadron commanders to educate their Airmen on the anthrax vaccination process, ensure they receive mandatory anthrax shots when required, and give our Airmen a chance to voluntarily continue the dosing schedule if they so desire," he said. "It is absolutely imperative that Icemen who have orders to high-threat areas receive their anthrax vaccinations," said Brig. Gen. Dave Scott, 354th Fighter Wing commander. "A large part of being ready to take the fight to the enemy at a moment's notice is being fit to fight. These shots help properly prepare our deploying warrior Airmen." Over the course of implementing this program, the Air Force will provide information and make additional information sources available to all Airmen about Anthrax and the AVIP. This includes a tri-fold hand-out, briefings, and web links. More information about Anthrax vaccinations can be obtained at the following links: - AVIP Trifold Brochure(PDF): http://www.anthrax.mil/documents/996AvipTrifold.pdf - AF/A3SC Anthrax Website: https://www.a3a5.hq.af.mil/a3s/a3sc/CCBRN_resource/biological/anthrax/index.asp - Military Vaccine Agency (MilVax) Website: http://www.vaccines.army.mil/ - MilVax Anthrax Website Website: http://www.anthrax.mil/ - MilVax AVIP 2007 Website: http://www.anthrax.mil/whatsnew/resumemandatoryselect.asp Parts of this article have been localized from an article written by Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle of Air Force Print News in Washington, D.C.