Immunizations for Soldier Medical Readiness

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Anthrax and Smallpox Vaccines

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Immunization against disease is an important part of your medical readiness for worldwide deployment. The Soldier Medical Readiness Center screens your medical record and immunization record for documentation of receiving vaccination. If there is no documentation, we must assume you were never vaccinated.

The immune response protects the body against disease. Immunization is a means of triggering the immune response and providing long-lasting protections. With vaccination, you get protection from a specific germ or virus without ever suffering through the disease. Because the immune response may diminish over time, vaccines known as "boosters" are sometimes given to restore the immune response against a particular germ/virus.

Please let the staff know if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or have allergies to foods or medications.

You must have your Medical Record and Shot Record when coming to immunizations.

You may receive the following vaccines at the Soldier Medical Readiness Center:

Hepatitis B Vaccine

A series of 3 injections, given at months 0,1,6, to protect you from contracting hepatitis B, a serious disease causing inflammation and damage to the liver that may lead to cirrhosis of the liver, chronic liver disease, and liver cancer. Hepatitis B Virus is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. Required for soldiers in specific MOSS and deployment to specific areas of the world.

Potential side effects: soreness where the shot was given, mild fever, allergic reaction.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

A series of 2 injections given at least 6 months apart to protect you from contracting a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is usually spread by close personal contact with an infected person and sometimes by eating food or drinking water containing the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A vaccine is required prior to deployment to certain areas of the world.

Potential side effects: soreness where the shot was given, headache, loss of appetite, tiredness. These problems may occur 3-5 days after vaccination and last for 1 or 2 days.

Influenza Vaccine

A yearly vaccine required for all soldiers to protect you from a virus that spreads from the nose or throat of the infected persons to others. The "influenza season" in the U.S. is from November through April each year. The viruses that cause influenza change often. For this reason, the influenza vaccine is updated each year. Protection develops about 2 weeks after the shot and may last up to a year.

Potential side effects: Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fever, and aches. If these problems occur, they usually last for 1-2 days.

The viruses in the vaccine are killed. You CANNOT get influenza from the vaccine.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

Measles, mumps, and rubella are three separate illnesses caused by three different viruses. These diseases are spread through the air from person to person.

Every soldier must have documented proof of receiving a measles vaccination upon entry into the military or at anytime since entering the military. If there is no documentation, a single booster of MMR is given.

Potential side effects: fever, mild rash, swelling of glands, temporary pain and stiffness in joints, and allergic reaction.

Inactivated Polio Vaccine

Polio is a disease caused by a virus that enters the body through the mouth. Polio may or may not cause serious illness including paralysis (inability to move an arm or leg) or death. Polio used to be very common in the U.S. before we had a vaccine for it. The disease is still common in some parts of the world.

Vaccination schedule: Adults who have never been vaccinated against polio should get 3 doses. Adults who have had 1 or 2 doses in the past should get the remaining 1 or 2 doses. Adults who have had 3 or more doses of polio vaccine in the past may get a booster dose.

Potential side effects: Soreness where the shot was given, allergic reaction.

Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine

A vaccine required for all people every 10 years throughout life to prevent two serious illnesses. Tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria. A germ that enters the body through a cut or wound causes tetanus infection. Tetanus can cause the inability to open the mouth or swallow. Diphtheria spreads by a germ passed from an infected person to the nose or throat of others. Diphtheria can cause breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis (inability to move an arm or leg) and death.

Potential side effects: May occur within hours or a day after the vaccine and last 1-2 days and include soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot was given, allergic reaction.

Typhoid Vaccine

Typhoid fever is a life threatening illness cause by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria, which lives only in humans. You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person infected with the bacteria or if sewage contaminated with the bacteria gets into the water used for drinking or washing food.

Soldiers deploying to countries where typhoid is common are vaccinated as a readiness requirement.

Vaccine schedule: The vaccine is available in oral and injectable forms. The manufacturer and the dosage form determine the number of dosages needed. Ask you health care provider for specific information.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A vaccine required every 10 years for all Fort Hood Soldiers. Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted between humans by a mosquito.

Potential side effects: mild headache, muscle pain.

Tuberculosis Screening

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that can attack any part of the body but usually attacks the lungs. TB is spread through the air from one person to another. A TB skin test is the only way to find out if you have a TB infection.

All deploying soldiers must have a TB test within 12 months of deploying. Please let your health care provider know if you have ever had a positive TB test. The test is administered again 3-6 months after redeploying.

Non-deploying, non-medical persons should be tested every 5 years. Medical persons are tested annually.

Test schedule: The TB test has two parts and will require two trips to the SMRC. At the first visit you will receive the injection. You must return in 48 - 72 hours to have the test read as negative or positive.

Meningococcal Vaccine

A vaccine required every 5 years for all military recruits and soldiers deploying to specific regions. Meningococcal disease is one cause of bacterial meningitis and can also cause blood infections. Anyone can get meningococcal disease.

Potential side effects: redness or pain at the site where the shot was given lasting 1-2 days, fever, and allergic reaction.