'Tis the season to avoid cold and flu

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 354th Medical Operations Squadron Immunizations Clinic received an initial shipment of flu vaccines Aug. 3 in preparation for this year's flu season, making it available to Airmen and their families.

Each year around Sept. 1 to June 30, cold and flu viruses cause numerous people to become ill - potentially disrupting daily life and activities. Manufacturers help reduce the number of people affected by cold and flu viruses by distributing vaccines as early as August and continue dispensing supplies through fall.

According to the Immunizations Clinic, Eielson is typically one of the first to receive flu vaccines throughout the Pacific Air Forces. Early vaccinations help the medical staff reach a seasonal goal of 90 percent immunization.

"Active-duty members and high-risk personnel are a primary concern, but anybody who comes in for the flu-shot will receive the vaccine," said Staff Sgt. Adam Whiffen, 354th MDOS Noncommissioned officer in-charge of Immunizations.

As a preventative measure, the Department of Defense requires active-duty servicemembers to receive either an injection or intranasal form of the cold and flu vaccine.

Preventative medicines like seasonal flu vaccines are one way to improve quality of life. The Air Force is dedicated to making sure that Airmen can focus on the job at hand.

"Although we are taking care of [Airmen], we also want to take care of their dependents by making sure military spouses and children aren't catching a lot of the diseases that are out there," said Tech. Sgt. Terrell Kelley, 354th MDOS flight NCOIC of the family health clinic. "We understand that part of our job is to take care of the family as a whole and when their families are well taken care of they focus on the mission."

The immunizations clinic offers walk-in services Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Fridays from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. The immunizations clinic closes at 2:30 p.m. on Fit Flag Fridays and 11:30 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month. For more information, call 377-6659.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protection against flu viruses. For more information on flu prevention, visit www.cdc.gov.