Anthrax and Botulinum Toxin Vaccination Plan for Operation DESERT SHIELD

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			[DECLASSIFIED 17 NOV 95]

                                           5 October 1990

INFORMATION PAPER

Subject:     Anthrax and Botulinum Toxin Vaccination Plan for Operation DESERT SHIELD

1.     Purpose. To describe the transfer of anthrax and
botulinum toxin vaccines and related supplies to the Area of
Responsibility (AOR).

2.     Material:

Vaccine - Anthrax vaccine (a maximum of 140,000 doses occupying appro~imately 130 cubic feet) is ready for shipment to the theater or use in CONUS. An additional 160,000 doses of anthrax vaccine will be ready for use on or about 15 October 1990.

Vaccine - Botulinum Toxin vaccine (a maximum of 30,000 doses occupying 32 cubic feet) is ready for shipment to the theater or use in CONUS. A limited number of additional doses of botulinum vaccine may be available for use in 1991.

Syringes, Needles, Alcohol Wipes - 320,000 are available for shipment from Fort Detrick, Maryland. The supplies are palletized, occupy 800 cubic feet and weigh 7500 pound~s.

3.     Personnel:

Team consists of 6 military members who have been identified by name. Personnel have completed POM. Necessary desert uniforms, chemical protective garments and TA50 have been acquired. Team members are ready for immediate deployment. The team will educate medical assets in the AOR on the use of these vaccines.

4.     Transportation:

Vaccine: The most e~peditious, secure method to the AOR is via the weekly blood flight from McGuire through Germany to Dhahran. On arrival in Dhahran, the 32d MEDSOM will coordinate e~peditious transfer of the vaccines to existing refrigerated storage. Transportation of both vaccines has been coordinated with the Air Force.

Syringes, Needles, and Alcohol Wipes: Proposed shipment to accompany the team is via commercial means. On arrival in Dhahran, the 32d MEDSOM will coordinate transfer of the supplies to existing storage facilities.

Personnel- Two of the team members will accompany the initial shipment of the vaccines to ensure integrity of the shipment. The remaining four members of the team would travel to arrive in the theater 3-5 days prior to arrival of the vaccines. Team members would meet with representatives of the CENTCOM Surgeon~s Office to coordinate disposition of the vaccines and to answer questions on use.

5.     Distribution of Vaccine:

Air Force. Distribution will be coordinated with the AFCENT Surgeon. POC is a team member on the staff of the AFCENT Surgeon. Another team member from the Army will accompany the POC in country to provide technical support. The Air Force has 18 sites in the AOR divided loosely into 5 geographic areas. Distribution to these sites would require the use of one dedicated air frame for 5 days. At each site, medical personnel would be briefed and supplied with necessary vaccines and eguipment. Vaccines will be delivered on ice in chests good for three days to maintain the necessary cold chain.

Army: Distribution will be coordinated with the ARCENT Surgeon. The Division Surgeons and the 44th Medical Brigade Commander will be actively involved. The vaccines will be distributed in the Divisions at the Brigade level by two team members. The team members will educate the brigade surgeon and other medical personnel on the use of the vaccines. Supporting medical treatment facilities will have the responsibility to vaccinate personnel without organic medical assets. Transportation of personnel and supplies will be coordinated with the 44th Medical Brigade. Distribution to all brigades and other sites will require the use of two dedicated air frames for a maximum of 5 days. Vaccines will be delivered on ice in chests good for three days to maintain the necessary cold chain.

Navy, Marines and Coast Guard: Distribution will be coordinated with the NAVCENT Surgeon upon arrival in the AOR. POC is presently in the AOR.

6.     Schedule:

It is estimated 5-7 days per anthrax vaccine dose will be required to vaccinate the theater given three teams of two individuals and the necessary air frames. Current vaccine availability through the end of October would allow 2 doses for 150,000 personnel. Vaccine is administered at O and 2 weeks with protection being acquired after the 2d dose. A booster dose is recommended after one year for those individuals at continued risk of exposure.

Since it is viewed the botulinum threat is different from anthrax, distribution of the vaccine should be adjusted accordingly. The first two doses of the botulinum toxin vaccine will be distributed at the same time as the anthrax vaccine. The third dose will be delivered separately twelve weeks after the first dose. Current vaccine availability through the end of October would allow 3 doses for 12,000 personnel. Vaccine is administered at 0, 2, and 12 weeks. A booster dose is recommended after one year for those individuals at continued risk of esposure.

7.     Recommendation. None. For information purposes only.

Prepared by:[  EXEMPTION (b)(6)   ]
Medical Readiness Division, J-4, [EXEMPTION (B)(6)