Anthrax vaccinations mandatory for more Airmen

  • Published
  • By PACAF Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  More Airmen in Pacific Air Forces will be affected by the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program exception to policy signed Dec. 5, 2008 by the Assistant Secretary of Defense. 

"The extended nature of the immunization schedule necessitates pre-designation of personnel to ensure Air Force personnel most likely to deploy to high-threat areas on short notice are provided the maximum protection available against Anthrax," said Maj. Gen. Mike Hostage III, PACAF vice commander.

Under the new exception to policy, the following personnel may be subject to mandatory anthrax vaccinations: mobility aircrew for the C-17, C-130 and KC-135 aircraft, special airlift mission aircrew for the C-37 and C-40 aircraft, aeromedical evacuation aircrew, Security Forces RAVENs, Air Mobility Operational Support Aircrew/Flying Crew Chiefs, Office of Special Investigations agents and Contingency Response Wings, to include affiliated units, response elements and liaison teams. 

The program was ordered to resume under the deputy secretary of defense in October 2006. It mandates Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the Anthrax vaccine. 

The mandatory anthrax vaccinations were previously limited to certain Airmen designated to deploy to specific high-threat areas - primarily the Central Command area of responsibility or the Korean peninsula. Designated special mission units, regardless of location, are also subject to mandatory anthrax vaccinations, and voluntary anthrax vaccinations will continue for certain non-mandatory members. 

In order to ensure sufficient immunity to Anthrax, personnel must complete the full anthrax immunization series in accordance with the approved dosing schedule, General Hostage said. 

There are five shots in the Anthrax series. The initial vaccination is followed by a shot four weeks, six months, 12 months and 18 months. Once Airmen complete the series they need an annual booster to remain current. 

"The extended nature of the immunization schedule necessitates pre-designation of personnel to ensure Air Force personnel most likely to deploy to high-threat areas on short notice are provided the maximum protection available against Anthrax," General Hostage said. 

Personnel in the aforementioned categories who may deploy to a high-threat area, such as Korea or the Central Command area of responsibility, for 15 or more cumulative days in a 12-month period must be identified by their unit commanders.

The anthrax vaccine was first licensed in the United States in 1970. Since then, it has been given to those people - such as military members, veterinarians, farmers, and woolworkers - who could be exposed to environmental sources of anthrax. 

For more information, contact local base immunization clinics.