1 These preventive measures are good to observe in an area in
which there is cholera. Practice good hygiene habits. Drink only water that has been
purified or chlorinated or is otherwise considered safe. Use scrupulous cleanliness
when handling or preparing food and store all food at appropriate temperatures. If you
are not certain, when eating away from home, that sanitary practices are observed,
select foods that are cooked and served hot. Be sure all milk and dairy products have
been boiled or pasteurized.
2 Vaccination is accomplished upon deployment to a country
which requires the cholera vaccination for entry. Revaccination is upon the
recommendation of the area command surgeon. Injection consists of 0.5 ml of the killed
cholera organisms (Vibrio cholerae). Booster injections, if recommended, come at six
month intervals and are also 0.5 ml.
(c) Influenza. The composition of influenza vaccine must be changed
periodically because of the year to year variation in the strains of influenza A and B
viruses isolated from patients around the world and the variety in the immunity of the
population. The vaccine is made of virus grown in chick embryos, purified, and
inactivated with formalin.
1 Vaccination consists of a dose of aqueous vaccine of 0.5 ml
given subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Before giving the vaccination, be sure any
individual with a true, severe allergy to chicken or its by-products has been evaluated.
2 All military personnel are immunized against influenza because
of their role as essential workers. This annual immunization program is normally started
in October. Immunization should be given approximately one month prior to the
beginning of the respiratory disease season.
3 The annual influenza vaccination program provides a good time
to assess all patients for their total immunization needs: protection from tetanus,
diphtheria, hepatitis B, pneumococcal pneumonia, and recent tuberculin skin test.
(d) Plague. The effectiveness of plague vaccine has never been
accurately determined, but it is known that immunization reduces the incidence and
severity of insect-borne disease, the bubonic form. Basic immunization consists of one
intramuscular injection of 1.0 ml followed in three months by an intramuscular injection
of 0.2 ml. Vaccination is not a condition for admission to any country. Booster
injections, when given, will be 0.2 ml given intramuscularly at six month intervals.
These vaccinations are given only on specific authorization from higher headquarters.
1 Plague immunization will be given to Alert Forces before they
are deployed to an area where the disease is prevalent. The first dose of 1.0 ml is
considered adequate protection to permit travel to a plague area. At no time is the dose
of 1.0 ml to be repeated if the individual has already been immunized with plague.
MD0587
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