JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 779th Medical Group Immunization Services Clinic is slated to have a flu vaccine drive for all DOD/Tricare beneficiaries (9 years of age and older) at the Joint Base Andrews Theater from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2, 2013.
Currently, the flu vaccine is mandatory for all of Andrews' military members and must be received no later than Dec. 16, 2013.
If an indivudual misses the flu vaccine drive, all active-duty military members and all eligible beneficiaries may receive flu shots at the Andrews Main Immunization Clinic. However, there may be longer wait times. Children empanelled to the pediatrics clinic may also receive the vaccine through the pediatrics clinic.
Each year, seasonal flu epidemics occur throughout the United States. Statistically, five to 20 percent of the American population will be infected with the flu, which leads to an average of 226,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 36,000 flu-related deaths annually.
Anyone may become ill from the flu virus, but groups who are more vulnerable to the illness include: pregnant women and those younger than five years old, as well as those 65 years and older.
Furthermore, those with chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver, blood or metabolic diseases, or a weakened immune system are also at high risk.
The best-known method of protection for an individual against the flu is to receive an annual influenza vaccine. This vaccine is updated every year to best match the predicted circulating virus strains.
Additionally, 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 an individual or a child is known to have an egg allergy, please inform the technician prior to receiving the vaccine. Those persons my recieve their vaccination at the Andrews Main Immunization Clinic.
All of Team Andrews is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to receive the flu vaccine now and inorder to better protect oneself and their loved ones.
For more information, contact the Andrews Flu Line at 240-857-7426 or the Allergy/Immunology and Immunizations Clinic at 240-857-7427.