The Missouri National Guard adopted the Boy Scouts’ motto “be prepared” as it fights the spread of H1N1 virus among its ranks.

“The good news is that the Guard is generally healthier than the normal population,” said Staff Sgt. Levi Schultz, a public health technician with the 139th Airlift Wing’s medical squadron based at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Mr. Schultz is the Airlift Wing’s specialist who gets to stick a lot of people each year.

Both the Army and Air Guard are emphasizing washing hands, washing hands and washing hands, said Maj. Barb Denny, a spokeswoman for the Wing.

Regular exercise and covering your mouth when you cough are two other measures that can help slow the spread of H1N1 and other flu viruses, Mr. Schultz said.

Also known as swine flu, H1N1 is a viral infection that causes sore throat, runny nose, fever and coughing. The illness has proved to be mild in the vast majority of people infected, but some people have died. H1N1 vaccinations will be mandatory for all National Guard soldiers about to be deployed, as well as all soldiers on active duty.

“If we can vaccinate our soldiers and in doing so prevent them from getting sick and making their families sick, that helps the community,” said First Lt. Eric Dier, a deputy to the state surgeon in Jefferson City. The Missouri National Guard would more than likely require between 5,000 and 7,000 doses, depending upon troop

deployments, Mr. Dier said.

Annually, Mr. Schultz sticks airmen with about 5,000 vaccine doses for a variety of ailments. This year he’ll be doing some extra sticking.

The Wing wants 1,100 doses of the regular flu vaccine and an additional 1,100 doses for H1N1, Mr. Schultz said.

“We haven’t gotten any vaccines yet, and the H1N1 won’t be coming through the normal channels,” he said.

The Guard developed an immunization program that follows guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mr. Dier said. “For the rest of the population, it is highly recommended and highly encouraged that they receive the vaccination,” Mr. Dier said.

According to an Associated Press-Gfk poll, more than a third of parents don’t want their kids vaccinated. Some parents are saying that the vaccine is too new and untested. Other parents are saying that H1N1 isn’t any worse than seasonal flu. About 59 percent are likely to let their children be vaccinated at school.

Federal health officials plan an unprecedented system of monitoring for side effects.

Marshall White can be reached at

marshall@npgco.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.