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Grand Forks Airmen to begin reinstated Anthrax vaccine

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
  • Air Force Print News
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Airmen here who are going to deploy will be getting the Anthrax vaccine before they go, including Air Expeditionary Force 7/8 deployers, non-AEF bucket deployers and enablers.

The Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program mandates Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the Anthrax vaccine, while also providing Airmen the choice to continue anthrax vaccines if they are not assigned to a designated high-threat area.

The mandatory anthrax vaccinations are limited to Airmen who have orders to or are (currently) in specific high-threat areas -- primarily the CENTCOM AOR or Korean Peninsula for 15 or more consecutive days.

"The health and safety of our airmen is our top concern, and there is no better round-the-clock protection against anthrax infection than the anthrax vaccine," said Major Chris Wynens, 319th Aeromedical Dental Squadron Public Health flight commander.

The Department of Defense issued a new policy memo Oct. 12 requiring the DOD begin mandatory anthrax vaccinations for individuals in selected high-threat areas or special mission units.

Headquarters Air Force sent out an implementation message Feb. 16 to major commands, directing them to implement the AVIP, in accordance with current DOD and Air Force guidance, said Lt. Col. Todd Shull, Air Force Counter-Biological Warfare Division chief.

This implementation is in the initial stages and the Air Force has established a four-week timeframe, upon unit notification, for units to begin giving the Anthrax vaccine to Airmen meeting the mandatory guidelines, he said. All military personnel at Grand Forks AFB should receive AVIP education by March 16.

Grand Forks AFB Airmen will be notified by their unit when they should visit the base Immunization clinic to receive their vaccine.

"The anthrax threat remains real and deadly," said Major Wynens. "It may be the most important biological warfare threat facing U.S. forces."

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 second key piece of the program is the voluntary aspect of the AVIP," Colonel Shull said. "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, Colonel Shull said.

"While we've identified two areas as the most likely locations for an Anthrax threat, we saw in 2001 that anthrax attacks could occur anywhere," he said. "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. Since then, it has been given to those who could get exposed to environmental sources of anthrax such as service members, veterinarians, farmers, woolworkers, Colonel Shull said.

In December 2005, anthrax vaccine was found to be safe and effective against all forms of anthrax, including inhalation anthrax. Over the course of the last 37 years the safety and effectiveness of the anthrax vaccine has been demonstrated. The anthrax vaccine is just as safe as other vaccines we're normally given over the course of our lives, he said.

Installation commanders ensure compliance with the AVIP by maintaining oversight and ownership of the installation's AVIP implementation program.

"Ultimately, it comes down to the installation commanders to make sure this program works," Colonel Shull said. "They will be responsible to ensure Airmen receive mandatory vaccines when required and voluntarily continue the dosing schedule if they so desire." 

(Tech. Sgt. Rob Mims, 319th Air Refueling Wing contributed to this story)