Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

Story by Blair Heusdens

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Joint Task Force Guantanamo medical service members are preparing for the seasonal round of mandatory influenza vaccinations including the H1N1 strain of influenza at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo mid November 2009.

According to Navy Lt. Stacy Hoffman, force health protection officer, the vaccine will be administered by command for active duty service members on the naval station. As supply permits, the vaccine will then be administered to dependents and civilian staff.

Currently, there have been no documented cases of H1N1 influenza at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, however, service members should always be prepared and take steps now to stay healthy and stop the spread of germs.

"Even though we're a small, protected community, people fly into and out of our community all the time and, in order to protect those who go back to the states and those who live here, it's important that everyone is vaccinated," said Hoffman.

The H1N1 influenza vaccine is made exactly the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine and is just as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine, said Hoffman. The difference is that the regular seasonal vaccine is a trivalent vaccine – meaning it vaccinates against three different strains of influenza – and the H1N1 vaccine is monovalent and only protects against the H1N1 strain of influenza.

Because the different vaccines protect against different strains of the influenza virus, it is important that all people get both vaccines to ensure they are protected against both seasonal flu and H1N1 influenza.

Currently, approximately 90 percent of the active duty service members on base have received the seasonal influenza vaccine.

The best way to protect against illness, according to Hoffman, is to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

To prevent the spread of influenza and other illnesses transmitted by coughing or sneezing, you should:

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or sneeze into your sleeve.
- Wash your hands often or use alcohol-based cleansers.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Practice good health habits such as getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritiously.

People often mistake a common cold for the flu, explained Hoffman. Flu symptoms include fever, sore throat and coughing that last for more than 72 hours. With these symptoms, patients should stay home. If certain emergency warning signs develop, however, a trip to the nearest medical facility would be appropriate. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms along with normal flu symptoms: chest pain or pressure, vomiting and inability to keep liquids down, fever (greater than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit) with a rash, signs of dehydration, loss of responsiveness or confusion, rapid breathing or trouble breathing, convulsions, seizures or bluish skin color.

For more information on H1N1 influenza and the H1N1 influenza vaccine, visit www.flu.gov or www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu.

For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.

Control Panel