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Dr. Jonathan Woodsom  |  Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

August 08, 2012

Recent headlines have described outbreaks of various infectious – and entirely preventable – diseases around the country. As all of you know, infectious diseases have always been a particularly serious issue for the Department. The prevention of infectious disease in support of the medical readiness of our service members is a core mission of the MHS and a fundamental responsibility that I have to the Secretary of Defense as his senior medical advisor.

Vaccines are one of the most powerful weapons in medicine; and one of the most important countermeasures to protect those we serve from the unique threats that all of us face in the world.

In just a few weeks, schools will be re-opening their doors. For those of us who are parents, in addition to purchasing school supplies and clothes for our children, we also need to ensure that their health records and inoculations are up to date.

Vaccines are just as important for adults as they are for kids; it’s important for adults to continue to protect themselves against shingles, hepatitis B, tetanus and diphtheria, among other conditions. Being fully immunized helps all of us stay healthy, resulting in stronger families and communities.  It’s not a bad idea to check your own immunization record and make sure you’re current.

With National Immunization Month upon us, now is the perfect time to make sure that our both our children and ourselves are protected from these threats. Remember that TRICARE covers age-appropriate doses of vaccine at no cost to beneficiaries.

The Military Vaccine Agency is an excellent source of information for TRICARE beneficiaries, clinicians and healthcare providers on the latest immunization policies and practices for enhancing military medical readiness.

Together, we can make a difference in keeping our families and communities healthy and ready. Enjoy the final weeks of summer.

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