Photo By Spc. Stephanie Homan | Sgt. Maj. Mark Cornejo, Multi-National Corps-Iraq Surgeon Chief Medical...... read more read more
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By Army Spc. Stephanie Homan
MNC-I PAO
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Mandatory anthrax vaccinations resumed for deploying and deployed military personnel and Department of Defense and Department of the Army Civilians by order of U.S. Central Command March 20. The first doses were administered to Multi-National Corps-Iraq troops at Camp Victory June 4.
"The reason we are concerned about anthrax is that it can be and has been (processed into a biological weapon)," said Army Col. Glynda Lucas, Surgeon's Office chief of clinical operations, MNC-I. "Our adversaries are less likely to use it if they know our forces are already protected from it."
Administering the shot in three doses to a Soldier could lessen the symptoms caused by exposure to anthrax, but all six doses provide maximum effectiveness, Lucas said.
"We hope with the vaccine on board we can buy people time for treatment," she said. "It works the same way body armor does as a form of protection. We want to protect as many people as possible."
To complete the vaccination series, one must receive six doses of the anthrax vaccine over an 18-month period and receive a booster shot annually thereafter, said Army Maj. Suann Ramsey, Surgeon's Office chief of preventive medicine, MNC-I.
"The first three doses provide you with the highest level of immunity and the rest help to strengthen the immunity," she said.
There are mild side effects frequently associated with the vaccine and rarely, more serious ones, Ramsey said. "The most common side effects are soreness, knots in the muscle where they receive the vaccine, fatigue, burning sensation at injection site, redness, itching and swelling around injection site," she said. "Thirty percent of men report a small local reaction, while 60 percent of women report a small local reaction."
Army Staff Sgt. Morgan Whiteman, MNC-I commanding general communications non-commissioned officer, received her second dose on June 4. She said she supports the vaccine even with minor side effects because it promotes preventive measures.
"I had a little swelling with my second shot and I put ice packs on it," she said. "It's important because it could save a Soldier's life. I volunteered for my first shot before I deployed because I didn't want to take a chance."
More information about the anthrax vaccine can be found at www.anthrax.mil, www.cdc.gov, or by contacting Ramsey at DSN 822-7972.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2007 01:33 |
| Story ID: | 10848 |
| Location: | CAMP VICTORY, IQ |
| Web Views: | 193 |
| Downloads: | 51 |
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