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Yokosuka Hospital Begins Smallpox Vaccination

By Bill Doughty, U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka Public Affairs
Story Number: NNS030130-03
1/30/2003

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Navy Medicine is on the forefront of protecting deployed forces and healthcare teams from a deadly disease and potential weapon - smallpox.

On Jan. 30, U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka began its first wave of smallpox vaccinations.

"This is just another piece of the armor to protect the health of our fighting force," said Cmdr. Ted Carrell, the hospital's Director of Occupational Health and Preventive Medicine. "The health and safety of the troops is our first concern, and we need to afford them this protection, just like anthrax, or typhoid, or yellow fever or any of the other diseases out there."

Not everyone will be vaccinated. In fact, only key active-duty service members will be vaccinated in the first phase.

"The focus of the national smallpox vaccination program is to vaccinate emergency and healthcare workers first," said Carrell. Some military members deployed to operational areas are also being vaccinated after being screened by healthcare professionals.

Recently, Surgeon General of the Navy Vice Adm. Michael Cowan spoke on the importance of the smallpox vaccination program.

"In the hands of terrorists or governments hostile to America and its friends, the smallpox virus may have become a new threat, a contagious, deadly and disruptive biological weapon," said Cowan. "Protecting our Marines and Sailors from smallpox infection by immunizing them is the most effective and safest option available to keep them fit to fight and win should the unthinkable occur - if it is used as a weapon against us."

According to Lt. Cmdr. Tim Quiner, family physician at USNH Yokosuka, the vaccine is not delivered with a typical injection. Vaccination is through a series of small scrapes to the skin, usually on the left shoulder.

"We use what's called a bifurcated needle and poke - not hard - but poke the skin, abrade it a tiny bit and introduce the vaccine into the skin," he said. "It causes a small sore, a local reaction and, in doing so, teaches our immune system what to watch for."

Service members who receive the vaccine are getting comprehensive instructions on keeping the vaccinated area bandaged and protected. This prevents the spread of the vaccine virus.

Quiner and Carrell encourage service members to ask questions before and after vaccination.

"We have a lot of experience dealing with the vaccine, just by nature of the planning aspect of the program," said Carrell, "and will be happy to answer any questions and address any concerns. We want to be sure they're comfortable receiving the vaccine."