JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Malcolm Grow Medical Center has not received the H1N1 influenza vaccine yet, but expects the initial shipments soon.
While there will eventually be enough vaccine to immunize anyone who wishes to be vaccinated, the goal is to immunize those at highest risk first. In order to do so, the 79th Medical Wing needs the cooperation of their beneficiaries to allow the following groups of people to be vaccinated first. The initial target groups are listed in no particular order:
- Pregnant women.
- People who live with or provide care for infants aged less than 6 months.
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material.
- Children aged 6 months to 4-years-old.
- Children and adolescents ages 5 to 18-years-old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
As those people are immunized, the list of targeted groups will expand slightly to include:
- All healthcare and emergency services personnel.
- All persons ages 4 to 24-years-old.
- Persons ages 25 to 64-years-old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
Once those targeted groups have had the opportunity to be vaccinated, then the doors are open to everybody else who desires to be vaccinated. People in the targeted groups are encouraged to get their vaccine from any location that has it available.
There are two completely independent supplies of vaccine, one purchased by the Department of Defense for Active Duty use, and one purchased by the Department of Health and Human Services for everybody else.
Officially designated mission essential civilians and mission essential contractors may use either source. Deliveries from either source will probably come at separate times and in different amounts.
The seasonal flu vaccine is currently available and encouraged for all persons age 6 months and older. The risk groups for seasonal flu and H1N1 flu are slightly different, which is why the older population is a target group for the seasonal flu vaccine and not for the H1N1 vaccine. Those over 65 are still encouraged to receive the H1N1 vaccine as supplies continue to arrive.
The 79 MDW will work to accommodate anyone who desires the H1N1 vaccination, but requests the support of their beneficiaries in allowing those with a greater need to receive their vaccination first.
- Courtesy of the 79th Medical Wing