Learn About Military Vaccinations and Disease Prevention

Immunizing Agent

Remarks

Basic Training and Officer Accession Training

Adenovirus, Types 4 and 7

Air Force recruits receive adenovirus vaccination only when there is evidence of active disease transmission. Coast Guard Recruits only receive this when specifically directed by the Coast Guard Commandant.

Influenza (Flu Shot)

Navy and Marine Corps officer and enlisted accessions receive the influenza vaccine year round in basic training. Other service recruits receive this shot in basic only during the designated flu season (October - March)

Measles

Measles Mumps and rubella (MMR) are administered to all recruits regardless of prior history.

Meningococcal

Quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (containing A, C, Y, and W-135 polysaccharide antigens) is administered on a one-time basis to recruits. The vaccine is given as soon as practicable after in-processing or training. This vaccine is required routinely only for recruits, although its use may be indicated in other situations based on transmission potential and risk of contracting meningococcal disease.

Mumps

Measles Mumps and rubella (MMR) are administered to all recruits regardless of prior history.

Polio

A single dose of trivalent OPV is administered to all enlisted accessions. Officer candidates, ROTC cadets, and other Reserve Components on initial active duty for training receive a single dose of OPV unless prior booster immunization as an adult is documented.

Rubella

Measles Mumps and rubella (MMR) are administered to all recruits regardless of prior history.

Tetanus-diphtheria

A primary series of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) toxoid is initiated for all recruits lacking a reliable history of prior immunization in accordance with existing ACIP guidelines. Individuals with previous history of Td immunization receive a booster dose upon entry to active duty and subsequently in accordance with ACIP requirements.

Yellow Fever

Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard only

Routine "Booster" Shots while in the Military

Influenza (Flu Shot)

Annual, during "Flu Season" (October - March)

Tetanus-diphtheria

A primary series of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) toxoid is initiated for all recruits lacking a reliable history of prior immunization in accordance with existing ACIP guidelines. Individuals with previous history of Td immunization receive a booster dose upon entry to active duty and subsequently in accordance with ACIP requirements.

Yellow Fever

Navy and Marine Corps only.

Alert Forces (See Remarks below for definition of "Alert Forces)

Hepatitis A

Air Force Only

Typhoid

Typhoid vaccine is administered to alert forces and personnel deploying to endemic areas.

Yellow Fever

Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Navy and Marine Corps receive all receive this, regardless of "Alert Status").

When Deploying or Traveling to High Risk Areas

Hepatitis A

JE Vaccine (Japanese B Encephalitis)

Meningococcal

Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Navy and Marine Corps receive all receive this, regardless of "Deployment Status").

When Required by Host Country to Enter

Cholera

Cholera vaccine is not administered routinely to either active or reserve component personnel. Cholera vaccine is administered to military personnel, only upon travel or deployment to countries requiring cholera vaccination as a condition for entry, or upon the direction of the appropriate Surgeon General, or Commandant (G-K), Coast Guard.

High Risk Occupational Groups

Plague

There is no requirement for routine immunization. Plague vaccine is administered to personnel who are likely to be assigned to areas where the risk of endemic transmission or other exposure is high. Vaccine may not be effective in the prevention of airborne infection. The addition of antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for such situations.

Rabies

Rabies vaccine is administered to personnel with a high risk of exposure (animal handlers; certain laboratory, field, and security personnel; and personnel frequently exposed to potentially rabid animals in a non occupational or recreational setting).

Varicella

When Deployed to Area Where In-Theater Commander Accesses a Biological Threat

Small Pox

This vaccine is administered only under the authority of DoD Directive 6205.3, DoDImmunization Program for Biological Warfare Defense.

Anthrax

This vaccine is administered only under the authority of DoD Directive 6205.3, DoDImmunization Program for Biological Warfare Defense.