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Flu Vaccine Drive Coming

  • Published
  • By Maj Howard Crisp
  • 779 MDG Director of Immunization Services
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The 779th Medical Group Immunization Services Clinic will have a flu vaccine drive Oct. 1-2 for all Department of Defense/Tricare beneficiaries (9 years of age and older) at the Joint Base Andrews Theater from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The flu vaccine is mandatory for all military members and must be received no later than Dec. 16.

All active duty military members and eligible beneficiaries who miss the flu vaccine drive can receive their shots at the main immunization clinic; however, there may be longer wait times. Children empanelled to the pediatrics clinic may also receive their vaccine through the pediatrics clinic.

Each year seasonal flu epidemics occur throughout the United States. Every year 5 to 20 percent of the population will be infected with the flu, causing an average of 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually.

Anyone can become ill from the flu virus, but there are particular groups who are more vulnerable to the illness. Pregnant women and those younger than 5 or greater than 65 years old are at particularly high risk. Those with chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver, blood or metabolic diseases, or a weakened immune system are also at high risk.

The best method of protection for you against the flu is to receive your annual influenza vaccine. This vaccine is updated every year to best match the predicted circulating virus strains.
The timing of flu activity is unpredictable and varies each flu season. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. during winter months, but flu illness can occur at any time. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended that everyone older than 6 months of age protect themselves by receiving a flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

New studies have also shown that the injectable flu vaccine is safe for most people with an egg allergy. If you or your child has an egg allergy, inform the technician prior to receiving the vaccine, and you can be vaccinated in the main immunization clinic.

For more information, call the Flu Line at (240) 857-7426 or contact the Allergy/Immunology and Immunizations Clinic at (240) 857-7427.