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Show B March 30. 2000 Medical experts address concerns over anthrax by Lt. Col. James McGreevy 419th FW Medical Squadron How safe is the anthrax vaccine and how effective is it against inhalational anthrax? These specific questions were addressed by an article in The Journal of the American Medical Association on December 8, 1999 (Vol. 282, pp. 2 04-- 2 06). In this article by Arthur M. Friedlander, M.D., the vaccine is declared safe and effective. Dr. Friedlander quotes several studies demonstrating the safety of the vaccine. In one study the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention closely monitored sixteen thousand doses of anthrax vaccine. The most common side effects were local reactions. Redness and soreness occurred in up to 20 percent of the doses. Systemic reactions occurred in 1 1 four individuals, representing 0.06. The systemic reactions were fever, chills, nausea, and general body aches. All were temporary and resolved completely. Since 1973, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease has administered the vaccine to its workers. A total of 10,451 doses have been given. Four percent of those doses resulted in a local reaction. Systemic reactions were reported in 0.5 percent of doses. All reactions resolved without lost time from work or long term ill effects. LITENING is the fact that they have imbedded test capa- bilities, said Master Sgt. Derek Dunaj, 466th Fighter Squadron Maintenance unit. In other words, roughly 95 percent of the troubleshooting for this system is completely automated. The Line Replaceable Units or components that are removed for repair can be replaced on the flightline usually in 30 minutes or less. According to Sergeant Dunaj, the 466th FSM has made modifications locally to further enhance maintainability. Weve already acquired a portable crane that will allow us to transport the pods without having to rely on powered AGE Aerospace Ground Equipment. The crane significantly reduces the support equipment required for moving pods that weve grown accustomed to using. The concept of the crane is one we developed locally but is already generating significant interest-eve- n by the contractor. The contractor for the LITENING II program is Northrop Grumman and Rafael Missile Division. Under the agreement, Northrop Grumann acts as the prime contractor on U.S. military programs. Since the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program began on March 10, 1998, 347,096 military personnel have received 1,023,460 doses of anthrax vaccine as of July 29, 1999. The Department of. Health and Human Services established an Anthrax Vaccine Expert Committee of nongovernmental medical experts to review all adverse side into a weapon of mass destruction. The anthrax vaccine, approved by the FDA in 1970, uses a molecule called protective antigen to produce antibodies against a protein produced by all anthrax strains, leading scientists to expect efficacy against all strains. The vaccine has even been vaccine-resistaAmes strain effective against the in animals. considered serious. These events were temporary and all were noted to occur on the general population independent Friedlander presents evidence that the anthrax vaccine is effective in humans as well. From 1955 to 1959, there was a controlled study of workers in New Hampshire goat hair mills. In this study, vaccination resulted in a significant reduction of inhalational anthrax compared to a control group. Another supporting statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 27 cases of inhalational anthrax reported in the past several decades, and none were in fully vaccinated subjects. The vaccine has also been studied in primates to best approximate the inhalational disease in humans. Vaccination consistently provided nearly 100 percent protection against an aerosol challenge with anthrax. Dr. Friedlander thus logically concludes that the benefit of protection against a known lethal weapon is worthwhile versus the known temporary side effects of vaccination. Editor's Note: Copies of this article are available in the Flight Surgeons office. Of 215 adverse events reported, 22 were effects. establish. The Food and Drug Administration concluded The data gathered from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System on anthrax vaccine thus far do not signal concerns about the safety of the vaccine. The FDA continues to view. the anthrax vaccine as safe and effective for individuals at risk of exposure to anthrax. The second major concern is efficacy, or the capacity of the vaccine to produce the desired effect. Anthrax is an uncommon illness. Testing a vaccines effectiveness is thus difficult. Anthrax continues to occur only sporadically in our country, primarily in workers processing goat hair. al skin infection. These workers usually get a Inhalational anthrax is a lung infection produced when a sufficient dose of bacterial spores are inhaled. Inhalational anthrax is almost universally fatal and is being processed non-Ieth- Representatives from Northrop Grumman are scheduled to visit Hill in April to assist . Sergeant Denaj and the members of the spe-- : cialist flight and provide additional flow. . cross-. AF Reserve . 419th FW Command Chief Master Sergeant provide the required training, he said. Potential applicants should visit their units senior procedures related to the uploading and downloading of the pods. Well also receive training on the removal and replacement of key components. Under the current delivery schedule, pilots and maintainers will have approximately 45 days of training with the new pods before deploying to the Middle East. The fact that several 466th FS pilots have used targeting pods before should help lessen the learning curve. A total of eight systems have already been shipped to Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command units to provide an initial operating capability. Ultimately, 17 Guard and four Reserve F- -l 6 squadrons will be outfitted with this precision strike mand that can help you with management and leadership. If you are interested in finding out more about what is being 7-3- recruiter for an 1 ini- tial interview and to complete an application. Accepted applicants travel to command head- ABOVE Q quarters for further evaluation. Then OPPORTUNITIES FULL-TIM- E 'v ' BEYOND t t 1 jA r'. its on to five weeks of recruit--ingTraining- at i iThcAir Force Reserve is looking for enthusiastic enlisted reservists to become Reserve recruiters. This rewarding career offers a renewable active-dut- y tour. In addition to full pay and allowances, youll also receive S375 per month in 4-y- ear pay. Lackland AFB, Texas. At present, there are 1 5 recruit-in- g vacancies throughout the United States at Reserve flying wing locations. For more information on recruiting opportunities throughout the Air Force Reserve, contact Senior Master Sgt. Sue Crosby at The Recruit the Recruiter campaign includes placement of display ads in Reserve unit news- papers and civilian publications, explained Major 775-468- 5. Ostrow. We want to get the word out that were looking for Reserve recruiters who are goal ori- 93 1 Well potential. The Northrop Grumman visit will con-- " sist of both classroom and practical applications, said Sergeant Denaj. Among other things, they will help certify us locally on always marvel at the manner and freoffered, dates and requirements please quency in which rumors often spread if call Senior Master Sgt. Teresa Wilson in not addressed. Let me take a few min1 . the training office at utes to clarify some of the rumblings that We processed 71 promotions in early have surfaced throughout the 419th Fighter March. Promotion opportunities now are Wing recently. the best they have ever been. Promotions There are those who believe PEP proare governed by legislation and they assign motions are only given to certain squadrons-no- t the percentage that can hold different true. If you were submitted for PEP ranks from enlisted to officer. However, and want to know how you fared, please if the only thing holding you back from call or come by to talk about it. PEP is not a promotion is completion of a PME require-me- nt and should not be a secret. You should such as NCO Academy or Senior know if you are being submitted and it is NCO Academy you need to be aware that to your advantage to check your personAFRC is considering putting a time limit nel file for accuracy and completeness. on the amount of time you can tie up a We recently convened a board to comslot without PME. You could mission several deserving airmen. While be moved outcompleting of the slot and someone who the date of the next board has not been wants to or has completed the course could determined, the schedules are advertised be moved in. in the HeadsUp, the Talon and through Course 8 is being phased out and will first sergeants and commanders. It pays no longer be available after Oct. , 2000. to read the communication sent out so you It will be replaced with Course 5. can keep abreast of the latest opportuniI f have a rumor you want clarified, you ties. a suggestion of how to improve business, There are several classes being offered or just need an answer, let me know and within the 4 9th and the Reserve com I will get back to you. I seeks recruiters - ; 9 by Chief Master Sgt. Marva Harper nt ed Dr. of the vaccine, making cause and effect difficult to special-dut- y fronr?f?' so-call- ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE,Ga.-Wbil- e Air Force Reserve Command ented. recruiters work to fill vacancies in a Meeting goal is the bottom line for variety of career fields, they must also;, Reserve recruiters, said Major Ostrow. Work to fill shortages within their own Wemust have a full complement of ranks.1 A program called Recruit the 300-plproduction recruiters in order Recruiter aims to locate future recruiters to sign-u- p 2,000 qualified citizen airfrom within the commands enlisted men in fiscal year 2000. corps. Despite having the best annual accesRecruiting experience is not a presion rate per recruiter, the command requisite, said Maj. Scott Ostrow, fell short of meetings its goal for the chief of the AFRC Recruiting Trainfiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 999. ing Branch. We are looking for enthuThe command recruited 9,146 people siastic enlisted members with five level or 8 .4 percent of its ,24 target. training in their career field, who are Major Ostrow attributes the recruitinterested in an active guard and reserve ing shortfall to a strong economy, a renewable tour in recruiting. market shift toward non-priserus 1 1 1 A full-tiAGR assignment in recruiting, according to Major Ostrow, includes full pay and allowances, $375 per month me special duty pay and great promotion 1 1 or vice personnel and the reduced propensity to enlist in the military. This year is definitely a challenge for us, said Major Ostrow. HeadsUp Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 41 9th Fighter Wing public Affairs Office. DEADLINE for submission of articles is 10 working days berore each scheduled wing unit training on a assembly. Articles should be typed and double-space- d line. HeadsUp is a Reserve supplement to the Hilltop times, published by Mor Media, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office, this commercial Air Force newspaper is an authonzed publication for Air Force Reserve members of the U.S. military services. Contents of enterpriseare not HeadsUp necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Air Force. 1 419th FW STAFF Col. F.C. Williams . . Capt. James R. Wilson Senior Airman Nicholas Ferre Stephanie Johns Commander Chief of Public Affairs Staff Writer Editor |