Flu vaccine is key to prevention

  • Published
  • By Kandis West
  • Tinker Public Affairs
Fall has arrived and flu season is around the corner. October and November is the best time to get the flu vaccine because most flu illnesses occur in January or February, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
   On average, 226,000 people are hospitalized every year because of influenza and 36,000 die from complications, according to the CDC. It can lead to pneumonia and cause high fever and seizures in children.
   Capt. Nisa Hogle, 72nd Medical Group Flight Medicine nurse, said they are reaching out to military members to get vaccinated. Annual influenza vaccination is required by all of the services for all active duty personnel. Active duty members are invited to walk into the Allergy and Immunizations Clinic to get their vaccination. In addition, she said the medical group immunization team will often come to larger units of 200 or more to administer the vaccine when requested.
   "The Immunizations staff tries to get everyone vaccinated as early as possible to minimize the threat of flu infections," said Captain Hogle.
   The 72nd MDG uses both the injectable flu vaccine, the flu shot, and the most modern version of the vaccine, the flu mist.
   The flu shot is a dead form of the flu virus that is injected into the muscle. The vaccine will help build antibodies to prevent serious flu-related illnesses, said Captain Hogle. It usually takes about two weeks to develop the antibodies.
   The flu mist is a live, weakened form of the flu virus that is sprayed into the nostrils. In addition to building antibodies, the flu mist gives the body a "trial run" for fighting off an infection, said Captain Hogle.
   "The flu mist develops antibodies faster than the flu shot," said Tech. Sgt. Michone Jackson, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the Allergy and Immunizations Clinic.
The flu shot is recommended for anyone six months and older.
   The flu mist is recommended for healthy children and adults ages 2 to 49 without any underlying conditions causing predisposition to flu complications. These would include asthma or other respiratory diseases and some chronic medical conditions.
   Flu vaccinations will be available to all TRICARE beneficiaries on a walk-in basis next week. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, except the third Wednesday of the month when the clinic closes at noon for training. It is expected that there will be sufficient vaccine to again offer free vaccinations for Tinker civilian employees in December. Plans for this release will be announced in a future Tinker Take Off article.
   For questions about the flu vaccine, call the Allergy and Immunizations Clinic at 736-2225.