CAF opts for protection

Personnel deploying on Operation Bastille are required to be vaccinated against anthrax. Photo by CPL Belinda Mepham

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston was voluntarily vaccinated against anthrax on February 12 as a precautionary protection measure in the event of any future visits to Air Force people pre-deployed in the Middle East.

AIRMSHL Houston, in providing his written consent, noted, “I think of this vaccination the same way I do about issuing protective clothing – just another measure to ensure our people’s safety.”

Despite the considerable media interest in relation to anthrax vaccinations for ADF people pre-deploying to the Middle East, CAF stressed that it was important to understand that the ADF, including the Air Force, had a duty of care to its people.

“We ensure our people have the necessary training to take them safely into dangerous situations, we give them protective equipment, we make sure they are fully fit and healthy, and this vaccination is just another element of our obligation to our people,” he said.

ADF medical personnel have spent considerable time and effort examining the research on anthrax vaccinations.

They have consulted with their counterparts overseas and believe that protection against anthrax attacks can be effectively achieved with a series of vaccinations.

AIRMSHL Houston said, “We don’t ask our people to have any medical procedure without ensuring they are fully informed of the possible side effects or complications – this is no different.”

All people who might need to be vaccinated are given a copy of the ADF Anthrax Vaccination Information Sheet to read.

It provides details of the disease, the vaccine, possible side effects and answers to popular misconceptions. Only on reading and understanding this information sheet are people then asked to sign a consent form.

Air Force takes very seriously its commitment to the well-being of its people.

“It’s the people who make up the Air Force – without them we’d have no one to operate and support our aircraft,” CAF said. “It’s vital that we look after them and offer them every possible protection. I am confident that this vaccination program is the right thing to do.”

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