JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
As of Jan. 1, 2013, Joint Base Langley-Eustis Airmen will be required to have the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (TDAP) vaccine, which is mandated by the Department of Defense for deployment readiness.
All Service members must get the TDAP vaccine for the prevention of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, which is spread from person to person through bacteria, and causes severe coughing spells which can lead to difficulty breathing, vomiting and disturbed sleep.
"Service members can infect infants, young people and the elderly if they are not vaccinated," said Valerie Hicks, McDonald Army Health Center allergy clinic lead licensed practical nurse.
Langley currently has a 98.2 percent completion rate, which does not include deployed personnel.
"We have a little over 70 active-duty Airmen who still need to get the vaccine," said Jimmy Ruiz, 633rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron Deputy of Public Health site commander. "After Jan. 1, Airmen who have not gotten the vaccine will be in the red category."
Overdue Airmen will be notified via personal e-mail or through their health monitors; whereas Soldiers are notified through their Army Knowledge Online portal. Service members can get the vaccine at either McDonald Army Health Center or the U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley annex building. Soldiers must have a copy of their shot records with them to get the vaccination.
The vaccine is also available to family members over 10 years of age and retirees with a valid military ID card.