Active duty flu vaccination begins

  • Published
  • 319th Medical Group
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  It's that time of year again -- flu season, and we should be prepared. Influenza, more commonly known as flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can even lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

Every year in the United States five to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 die from flu complications.

The immunizations available this year are either intranasal (FluMist®) or the traditional injectable vaccine. Unless there are medical contraindications, all active duty personnel will receive the FluMist® intranasal vaccine. The wing goal for active duty influenza compliance is 90 percent by mid-December 2007. Once this goal is obtained, the vaccine will be opened up to all other beneficiaries. To ensure a healthy winter, get a flu vaccination at the earliest available date.

The 319th Medical Group is currently vaccinating active duty service members. The immunizations clinic is coordinating with unit deployment managers to set up squadron vaccine lines to avoid lengthy waits in the immunizations clinic. The vaccine is also available for high risk beneficiaries (those who may experience sever complications from influenza) and their families on a walk-in basis at the influenza clinic.

Flu immunizations are a seasonal component of the Air Force and wing's overall preventive health assessment individual medical readiness program.

Col. Diane Hull, 319th Air Refueling Wing Commander, emphasized the value of vaccination.

"Air, ground, home station or deployed, the human weapon system represents our most valuable military resource," she said. "The mission of the 319 MDG is to ensure the health and medical readiness of our personnel to support contingency operations. Our medical warriors do a fantastic job at that but individuals also need to take an interest in their own personal health and readiness."

The pulse of our war fighter's health status is reflected in PIMR rate. The overall rate is determined by compliance in multiple categories (immunizations, dental, annual physical health assessments, laboratory, medical equipment and profiles). The wing goal for PIMR compliance is 90 percent meaning 90 percent of our personnel are medically qualified to deploy. Preventive health assessment individual medical readiness is a commander's program, but it is each individual's responsibility to ensure that medical requirements are met.

The latest flue vaccine updates are available on the 319 MDG phone system (701-747-5601). For additional information on influenza, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website (www.cdc.gov) or contact the immunizations clinic at 747-5451.