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11. RequirementsThe requirements listed in this document are based upon recommendations by the Center for Disease Control (Atlanta, GA) and the Traveler’s Health Clinic of Mercy Hospital (Miami, FL).
You may wish to check with other medical sources for further information.
Please do not take any vaccination without disclosing your full medical history to the physician supervising the administration of the vaccine.
01. Vaccinations
In order to help assure the least risk to each team member from diseases which may be prevalent in the geographic areas where 1SRG may operate, a set of requirements for vaccination has been established. While each vaccination may not be specifically called for in a given area, the vaccinations on the required list are those that cover most of the diseases which are, or may become, endemic to areas impacted by disaster.
Primary vaccinations:
After administration, please have the above entered on your International Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Card) as well as on the 1SRG form Vaccinations and Prescription Medications, Record –MF 003.
Several vaccinations become effective only after a specified period of time. Other vaccinations are only effective when given in a specified series at specific intervals. For this reason the vaccination requirements must be completed prior to personnel being considered operational.
Other vaccinations for diseases that will rarely be encountered may later be made a requirement when appropriate. Team members will be notified by an addendum to the Warning Order for a particular mission.
There are other common vaccinations that are available but whose efficacy may be in doubt by some medical professionals. Thus, they are not on the required list. Again, you may wish to discuss any additional vaccinations with the medical professional of your choice.
Also, all common childhood vaccinations should be discussed with the administering physician to determine their continuing efficacy.
02. Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito borne disease prevalent in many parts of the world. Contraction of malaria can generally be prevented by administering an anti-malarial medications as a prophylaxis. Anti-malarial medications should be included in each team members personal medical kit.
Currently, there are three anti-malarial medications in common usage. Chloroquine is the general usage prophylaxis and Mefloquine is indicated in geographic areas where a resistant form of malaria is known to exist. In some areas a form of malaria exists that is resistant to both Chloroquine and Mefloquine in those instances Doxycycline is the preferred method of prophylaxis. Doxycycline is also indicated if you should be allergic to both Chloroquine and Mefloquine.
Please have your physician prescribe a dosage of EACH ( or only those to which you are not allergic) anti-malarial medication suitable for a two-week mission. (Each of these anti-malarial medications are in pill form. They are generally taken one per week beginning the week prior to anticipated exposure and then continued for three to five weeks afterward. Doxycycline, however, is started two to three days before anticipated exposure and is taken daily. You would therefore begin taking the anti-malarial upon receipt of the Warning Order, which will include a directive as to which type of anti-malarial is indicated.)
Please fill all three prescriptions (you may not have time immediately prior to deployment) and store according to the instructions provided by your pharmacist.
Some of the anti-malarial medications are contraindicated in pregnancy and female members of the team should discuss this with their physician. Malaria itself is also quite hazardous in pregnancy. This risk should also be discussed with the your personal physician.
Of course use of preventive medication should not be thought to be sufficient. Team members should still utilize standard barrier methods to prevent malaria transmission. Use of protective clothing, insect repellent, and mosquito netting should all be used in endemic areas.
03. Infections
Infections caused by local bacteria and/or as the result of an injury are best treated with antibiotics. Appropriate antibiotics should be included in each team members personal medical kit.
- Cipro is to be used empirically for typical traveler’s diarrhea and gastro-intestinal infection.
Cipro has been associated with significant photosensitivity skin reactions and any team member taking the drug should avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. At a minimum, sunscreen SPF 30 or above should be used for those who remain in the field while taking this medication.
Cipro is contraindicated in pregnancy and female members of the team should discuss this with their physician.
- Team members should also carry an anti-motility agent such as Imodium or Lomotil. Imodium and
Lomotil should not be used for diarrhea accompanied by signs of more serious illness such as high fever, bloody stool, recurrent vomiting, or increasingly severe abdominal pain.
- Keflex is recommended to treat some common skin infections and to prevent infection in certain grossly contaminated wounds.
Individuals who are allergic to cephalosporins and who have certain types of allergic responses to penicillin should not take this medication.
Ascertain with your physician that you are not allergic to any of these medications. Please have your physician prescribe a dosage of these medications (or a substitute if contraindicated by an allergy) suitable for a two-week mission.
Please fill all three prescriptions (you may not have time immediately prior to deployment) and store according to the instructions provided by your pharmacist.
4. Allergic Reactions
Some individuals suffer strong allergic reactions among them anaphylactic shock. This is best treated with Epinephrine which should be part of the personal medical kit of such individuals.
If you suffer sever allergic reactions and your physician believes it appropriate, please have your physician issue a prescription for Epinephrine (pen-form).
Fill this prescription (you may not have time immediately prior to deployment) and store according to the instructions provided by your pharmacist.