Volume 48, No. 11, June 29, 2006
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If your innoculations aren’t up to date, you won’t be deployed. |
IN the days leading up to Operation Astute a number of ADF personnel expecting to deploy were told they couldn’t go.
The reason was quite simple but completely avoidable.
Medically they simply weren’t ready and couldn’t deploy because their jabs weren’t up to date.
The increasing number of short-notice operations in recent times has produced a challenge for members and their health providers alike. Now, more than ever, it is no longer acceptable to let our health status lapse.
Where a unit is asked to provide a list of nominees for operational deployments, the first members to be struck off the list will be those who do not meet the health readiness requirements – there simply isn’t time to get people up to speed just because they “deserve” a deployment, or haven’t been anywhere before.
In the health area, the issues are medical and dental fitness, health assessments and vaccinations.
Medical Employment Classification (MEC) is the measure of medical fitness. Members who are MEC 3 can only deploy if in receipt of a commander’s waiver, which must be issued by VCDF/ CJOPS. No other waiver authority exists. MEC 4 members generally cannot deploy. Some categories of MEC 2 personnel will not be able to deploy to specific theatres. Dental fitness is similar. Dental class 3 and 4 members are generally not able to deploy.
Health assessments are an area where members can take the initiative. The Annual Health Assessment (AHA) is required yearly and expires after 12 months. Members should not rely on others to ensure they remain in date for their AHA.
Since this directly affects deployability, it is in the interest of every member to keep abreast of their AHA. Specialists (eg aircrew, divers, submariners and parachutists) have additional requirements.
Vaccination status can be another problem. Some vaccinations require a period of observation after they are administered. Members will normally receive the relevant needles at the time of their AHA, so keeping up to date with the AHA should ensure that vaccines are also OK.
Information can be found in Health Directive 222 – Health Requirements for Deployed Australian Defence Force Personnel.
Bottom line: If you want to deploy, make sure you’re ready to go, and that means more than just an equipment check. In the end, it’s up to you.
