Contemporary survivalist literature typically offers their readers the advice to head for the hills during a crisis event.  This strategy is often coupled with the idea of holing up in a bunker far away from civilization.  In reality most crisis events are not the end of the world as we know it situations and avoiding other humans is next to impossible.  When a natural or manmade disaster occurs, the infrastructure we depend on such as water treatment, sewage, or garbage collection could be down for sometime.  In third world countries this lack of critical infrastructure is commonly followed by disease.  In the United States we have redundant backup systems to our utilities and a very robust healthcare system that can tackle minor outbreaks.  However, during a long-term crisis this would not be the case.  Take for example Hurricane Katrina.  In the city of New Orleans, hardest hit from the aftermath of the hurricane, the public health system was essentially non-existent.  Between 60%-80% of the population was flooded out of their homes. Virtually no water or power existed in the city or an effective way to deal with human waste and trash. Health care officials began to see an outbreak of rashes, flu like symptoms, and acute respiratory infections in hundreds of residents. In addition there were infections to wounds and general gastrointestinal problems associated with the toxic environment of the flood waters and unsanitary conditions.  These same conditions were worse in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti or the tsunami in Indonesia some years back.

Telling citizens to simply avoid human contact is not by itself a completely effective strategy. One should consider a proactive set of vaccinations to the most common diseases that may occur during a long-term crisis event.  Vaccinations are always a controversial topic and will be a personal decision for each family member.  It is important to talk to your physician to determine if you are healthy enough to receive a vaccination for certain diseases and to make sure that you do not have an allergy to any vaccination.  Bring your current shot records to your doctor’s appointment to determine what you have already been immunized against.  If you have had the privilege of serving in the military overseas, you have probably been given a lot of shots for tropical diseases.  If you do not have your military shot records a free copy can be obtained from the Veterans Administration.  If you do not have any shot records then your physician can draw titers from your blood and determine what antibodies already exist so as to figure out what you have already been immunized against.  Once you have determined what you have already had shots for then you can decide what additional vaccinations you want to receive.

Most Americans have been vaccinated for the common diseases as it is a requirement to have these immunizations to enter the public school system. Shots for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, chicken-pox, TB and polio are a few. Sometimes the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot is needed again in your older years as your immunization can wear thin. Additionally a tetanus shot is required ever ten years.  An annual flu shot is also not a bad idea. 

If you are a health care worker then you are also required to have a Hepatitis B vaccine.  Many health care workers and servicemen and woman serving the global war on terror have received the small pox vaccine and potentially an anthrax vaccine.

A little research as to the most common disease outbreaks after a crisis event reveals the following:

Many of these diseases are found in third world countries where the health care system is not as sophisticated.  However, Americans throughout our nation’s history have also suffered from these diseases.  During a long-term crisis event in which the health care system was overburdened these diseases could make a comeback.  Minor outbreaks occur often in the southern part of the U.S. with an influx of people immigrating into the country illegally.  Again our healthcare system has been able to handle these cases effectively but during a crisis event pandemics are possible.  Therefore, it would be prudent to consider immunizations against these diseases now before a disaster scenario.  You need to discuss with your physician any potential side effects from the vaccinations. Also some vaccinations cannot be given to children under a particular age. Shop around for the best price as your health insurance may not cover all of these shots.  The local health department is the most common source for such vaccinations.

Finally, during a crisis event you and every member of your group should wear the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) such as non-latex gloves, N-95 masks, and eye protection when ever in contact with other people.  The risk of infection is always present.  Consider setting up a quarantine protocol as other members of your group or family begin to reunite after a long-term crisis.

In short stockpiling years of food and ammo for a potential crisis only to be taken out by a microbe does not make a lot of sense.  To assume that you will not fall prey to such diseases  is to some extent falling prey to normalcy bias. Even if you do plan on heading to your bunker, consider a proactive approach to your health and research the necessary vaccinations for yourself and your family.

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