Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program underway at Sheppard Published March 8, 2007 By Master Sgt. Jennifer Isom 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, or AVIP, mandating Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the anthrax vaccine is underway at Sheppard. 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 while also providing Airmen the choice to continue anthrax vaccines if they are not assigned to a designated high-threat area. "The initial briefings with a question-and-answer panel of experts will be held for the Airmen meeting the mandatory guidelines in the base theater March 9 and 22 at 3 p.m.," said Lt. Col. Curt Van De Walle, the deputy commander for the 82nd Mission Support Group and the AVIP Team chairperson. According to the Air Forces' AVIP Implementation Plan, the mandatory anthrax vaccinations are limited to Airmen who have orders to or are (currently) in specific high-threat areas - primarily the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility or Korean Peninsula for 15 or more consecutive days. "AVIP briefings will be conducted by squadron commanders during commander's call held during individual squadron commander's call's the week of March 8 - 21," Colonel Van De Walle said. "Additionally, an informal question-and-answer session with a panel of experts will be offered once during the week of March 12. The date, time and location will be announced through base channels once it is available." Lt. Col. Todd Shull, Air Force Counter-Biological Warfare Division chief, said taking the vaccine voluntarily is consistent with good medical practice and personal protection for Airmen whether or not they are (or will be) assigned to a designated high-threat area. "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, or 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." 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. 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 (Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle of Air Force Print News contributed to this article.)