of this policy, immunization schedules in Navy and Marine Corps recruit centers and officer indoctrination centers have had to be altered from previous long-standing recommendations.
RECORD OF IMMUNIZATIONS
The yellow PHS Form 731 is prepared for each member of the Armed Forces. Enter the data by hand, rubber stamp, or typewriter. The day, month, and year of each immunization given will be expressed in this order. Indicate the day in Arabic numerals; the month spelled out or abbreviated, using the first three letters of the word; and the year expressed in arabic numerals, either by four digits or by the last two digits. The member’s Social Security number must be listed for identification purposes. Entries for smallpox vaccines should indicate whether freeze-dried or liquid vaccine was used. Make sure the origin and batch number are recorded for yellow fever and smallpox vaccines. Entries for smallpox, yellow fever, and cholera must be authenticated by the DOD Immunization Stamp and the actual signature of the medical officer or a specifically designated representative. All other immunizations are authenticated by initialing. Entries for tetanus toxoid alone will be recorded as “TT.” Entries based on prior official records will have the following statement added: “Transcribed from official United States Department of Defense records.” Such entries in the case of smallpox, yellow fever, and cholera shall be validated by the signature of a medical officer or a specifically designated representative.
An Immunization Record, SF 601, will be started for all personnel entering the Navy. It will be prepared in accordance with chapter 16 of the Manual of the Medical Department and will contain the Social Security number of the member for identification purposes.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Communicable diseases, as the name implies, are those diseases that can be transmitted from one host to another. They may be transmitted directly or indirectly to a well person from an infected person or animal, or through the agency of an intermediate animal host, vector, or inanimate object. The illnesses produced result from infectious agents invading and multiplying in the host, or from their toxins (poisons).
TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS AGENTS
Any means that brings an infectious agent to a susceptible human host and results in an exposure to the agent is a method of transmission. Essentially, there are two types of transmission, direct and indirect.
1. DIRECT TRANSMISSION—The transfer, without delay, of an infectious agent to a point (portal of entry) on a receptive host where it can enter the body. Examples of direct transmission are:
a. Direct contact—Touching, kissing, or sexual intercourse.
b. Direct projection—Droplet spray from coughing, spitting, talking, etc.
c. Direct exposure—The contact of susceptible tissue with soil, vegetable matter, etc., containing infectious agents.
2. INDIRECT TRANSMISSION—Examples of the three types are listed below.
a. Vehicle-borne—Infectious agents are transferred and deposited on a host at a suitable point of entry by fomites (nonliving, inanimate materials or objects, e.g., toys, bedding, utensils, food, and drink). The infectious agents must be present on the fomite; it may or may not have reproduced.
b. Vector-borne—Infectious agents are transferred to a susceptible host by insects. There are two types of vectorborne transmission.
(1) Mechanical—The infectious agent is acquired when an insect’s body parts come into contact with contaminated materials, objects, or infected persons, and then make contact with a susceptible host.
(2) Biological—The infectious agent,
c. after being acquired by an insect, must go through biological changes in the insect before it is capable of producing an infection or disease when deposited on or in a susceptible host. Airborne—There are two methods of indirect airborne transmission, by droplet nuclei (from cough or sneeze) and dust. In both cases, the infectious agent may remain airborne for long periods of time.
