Infectious Disease Prevention and Vaccination Programs in Military Populations: Lessons from Recent Global Outbreaks

Abstract

Background: Military populations face unique infectious disease risks due to close-quarter living, global deployments, and operational exposure to endemic pathogens. Recent global outbreaks—including COVID-19, mpox, and Ebola—have tested military health systems and revealed critical lessons for prevention and vaccination programs. Aim: This narrative review synthesizes evidence on infectious disease prevention and vaccination programs in military populations, examining lessons learned from recent global outbreaks and their implications for social work, nursing, emergency response, and health management. Methods: A narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and organizational case studies from 2015–2026 was conducted, focusing on military vaccination efforts, outbreak responses, and health system adaptations. Results: Key findings highlight the military's dual role as both a vulnerable population requiring protection and a strategic asset for public health response. Successful programs demonstrate the importance of civil-military coordination, specialized vaccine care for adverse events, adaptive vaccination strategies, and integration of social and behavioral sciences. Challenges include vaccine hesitancy, logistical barriers in deployment settings, and trust deficits with local communities. Conclusion: Military infectious disease prevention requires multidisciplinary approaches combining clinical excellence, operational readiness, and community engagement. Lessons from recent outbreaks inform frameworks for future pandemic preparedness across health disciplines.