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Senior Airman Natasha Schumaker prepares to immunize an Airman at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, recently. Schumaker is a 376th Expeditionary Medical Group aerospace medical services technician and deployed from the 88th Inpatient Operations Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio (Courtesy photo)
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100 percent immunization compliance at TCM
Posted 8/17/2012 Updated 8/17/2012
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by Staff Sgt. Matt Benedetti
376th Air Expeditionary Wing
8/17/2012 - Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan -- The 376th Expeditionary Medical Group at the Transit Center at Manas has achieved a 100 percent immunization compliance rate for the 12th consecutive week, ensuring that each service member at the Transit Center has been given his or her required immunizations.
The percentage is the highest in the Air Forces Central area of responsibility. The most common vaccinations given at the TCM clinic are: Anthrax, Typhoid, Small Pox, Hepatitis A and B.
Medical group personnel ensure that all service members deployed to the Transit Center maintain their medical readiness and are available for contingency operations.
Allergy Immunization Technician Senior Airman Samantha Griffin is the expert in all matters pertaining to inoculations here. Since her arrival in May, Griffin has trained several immunization backup technicians to allow for a seamless, convenient process for Airmen in need of a vaccination.
"The full compliance for immunizations makes us medically ready in case of any contingency. If an individual does not have all their required shots, unit preparedness could be compromised," said Griffin, a native of Rochester, Minn., who is deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio."It is satisfying to know that service members are prepared."
Master Sgt. Michael Remy is the NCO in charge of public health and manages every service member's medical requirements. Despite the heavy rotation of personnel, Remy inspects each incoming medical record folder to determine if action is needed.
A series of checks and balances are in place to measure compliance regarding all required immunizations.
"I am proud that our commanders and first shirts have such respect for the program and take time to make sure the program is working," said Remy, a native of Severn, Md., who is deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "No one likes to get shots, but people at the [Transit Center] have a respect for the process."
Col. Frank Allara, the 376 EMDG commander, is keenly aware of the importance of full immunization compliance.
"Timely immunizations are one of the most important ways for people to protect themselves and others from serious diseases and infections. Many of our functions at the Transit Center are only manned two people deep. Consequently, if one of these individuals falls ill to a disease that could have been prevented by an immunization, our mission suffers. We are no longer able to provide proper support to airlift, air refueling, onward movement of troops or humanitarian assistance," said Allara, a native of Forest Hills, Ky., who is deployed from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
"By maintaining our 100 percent immunization rate at the Transit Center, we can help ensure our mission is not degraded by a preventable disease," Allara said.
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