KABUL, Afghanistan –
For the second time in six weeks, Afghan Air Force flight medics administered vaccines to more than 400 airmen at Kandahar Air Wing recently.
This effort is the second wing-wide preventative medicine campaign Afghan medical experts have led. In September, Afghan doctors and trained medics administered the first of a two-shot series of the vaccinations over the course of four days.
Experts explained between the two week-long vaccination sessions, members of the AAF at KAW are now immune to polio, hepatitis B, mumps, measles and rubella.
Charged with picking up supplies including sterile saline required to mix the measles, mumps and rubella powder for injection, the AAF medics also prepared all vaccines. They also organized to keep the vaccines refrigerated on site, advertised and organized various squadrons to report for their vaccinations and also documented who received the vaccinations.
According to medical professionals, keeping accurate records of all vaccinations administered ensures several safety issues are addressed to include understanding potential side effects and being able to track members if a vaccination is ever recalled.
"This was yet another example of how the KAW clinic providers have elevated themselves to an ability to function independently within the AAF and Afghan National Army system to provide a superior level of care for military members in Afghanistan," said Doctor (Maj.) Charla Morgan, a medical adviser with the 738th AEAG. Their interest in preventative medicine is unique compared to their colleagues in clinics around the country and they realize the importance of keeping their force healthy by preventing disease."
Observing from a distance, the medical team at the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group were pleased with the results but explained there is still work to be done as far as distribution and delivery goes in regards to the vaccinations.
"Getting the influenza vaccine from the ANA has been challenging," said Morgan. "It has not been disseminated down from Kabul yet, so we didn't have it here in Kandahar to administer along with MMR and hepatitis B. We couldn't delay any longer as the second hepatitis B needed to be given in a timely fashion after the first one."
The head doctor for the AAF at KAW was also pleased by the results of the second round of vaccinations that were administered to airmen around base.
"We are happy to be able to make our people healthy and to better fight disease," explained Doctor (Lt. Col.) Fazal Rahman.
Expansion in medical capability continues to expand at KAW with future plans that include an addition of an emergency room, radiology, lab and dental procedure room said coalition members.