Influenza vaccines keep Airmen healthy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  An illness can render the toughest person bedridden and aching. However, the mission never gets a rest.

The 354th Medical Operations Squadron immunization clinic staff keeps the community healthy by administering vaccines to active duty and reserve Airmen, dependents and retired members.

While everyone can help prevent catching the flu by washing hands regularly, immunizations are the most effective tool for preventing outbreaks.

"It is pretty amazing that there are so many deaths from the flu annually. The average number of deaths ranges from 17,000 to 52,000 per year," said Tech. Sgt. Jennie Carmichael, 354th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in-charge of ambulance services.

This year's vaccine combats three virus strains, including two A strains of H1N1 and H3N2, and the B strain Brisbane.

Even though the influenza can be devastating, some individuals are reluctant to receive immunizations for a variety of reasons.

"A lot of people think you can get the flu from the vaccine, however that is just a misconception. It's a dead virus; you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. If you are feeling down that is your body creating antibodies to protect you down the line. The actual flu is horrible, you feel awful," said Sergeant Carmichael.

Anyone six months old or older can get the flu vaccine whether it is the mist or the shot. The flu mist carries the weakened live virus while the shot carries the dead virus.

The shot is reserved for the very old, very young and those with chronic medical conditions including asthma, cancer and any kind of immunodeficiency. Recipients of the flu mist have the possibility of getting sick since the vaccine is live, however it is extremely rare and a more mild sickness, she said.

Daily interactions bring the possibility that sickness can be passed from person to person. Vaccines play a large role in preventing the spread of contagious diseases and ensuring Airmen can perform their duties.

"If you are down with the flu you are not worldwide qualified. The vaccine is about 80 percent effective against getting influenza. It keeps us going and keeps us deployable," said Sergeant Carmichael.

Advances in medicine can make it difficult to tell what information is correct or not. For instance, the clinic now offers the Human Papillomavirus vaccine for boys and girls 11 to 26 years old.

"Hearsay is not fact-based information. There's so much controversy, rumors and blogs that people should go to accredited scholarly sites to get their information," said Sergeant Raso.

One official source is cdc.gov which has case studies and information answering questions like, "what is influenza?", "why should people get the vaccine?" and "who should and should not get it?" It even gives contact numbers to reach someone for other questions.

By talking to professional medical staff, people can find out what the clinic offers and ensure they are getting the best preventative medicine for their bodies, said Sergeant Raso.

In the past, outbreaks have devastated communities. To keep the same occurrence from happening here vaccines will be administered regularly. Contact the immunizations clinic at 377-6659 to get more information.