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Flu round two, are you ready?

  • Published
  • By Howdy Stout
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tinker is bracing for the next wave of the flu season and is urging all active-duty personnel to get their mandatory H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines as soon as possible.

Last year health officials in the United States reported wider and earlier outbreaks to the normal flu season as the H1N1 virus -- a variant of swine flu -- hit the country. President Obama declared a national emergency to ease bureaucratic restrictions while the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic, the first in more than 40 years. Health officials are predicting the virus will again be widespread as the country heads into an anticipated second phase of the flu season.

"While we are experiencing a lull in new cases right now, we're expecting the next wave to hit mid to late-February," says Maj. Juan Ramirez, Public Health Flight commander.

To combat the expected outbreak, the 72nd Medical Group has received enough vaccine to now treat all active duty assigned to Tinker. The Air Force expects all personnel to be vaccinated within 30 days of receiving their stock of vaccines.

Active-duty personnel should report to the Immunizations section at the main Medical Group building or during two mass vaccination events scheduled later this month.

The first active duty H1N1 event will take place on January 22, from 07H30 to 15H30 at the Base Theatre and again at 552nd Air Control Wing's Operations Group Auditorium on January 27 from 07H30 to 15H30. Both sessions are open to all active-duty personnel.

"Effective immediately, active duty can come into the clinic or one of the mass immunizations," Major Ramirez said. "It's a mandatory vaccination."

Immunizations of retirees, dependents, and civilian personnel began in December from supplies provided by the state of Oklahoma. Vaccine is still available at either the main clinic for retirees and dependants or at the Occupational Medicine clinic for non-beneficiary Tinker employees.