By Patricia Deal
CRDAMC Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas—Think it’s no big deal if you get the flu? Think twice before skipping your flu shot this year. And don’t think that you’re safe this year because you got the shot or had the flu last year.
Influenza, a contagious respiratory illness spread through the air or through contact with a contaminated object, is a serious threat.
Tens of thousands die from the flu, on average, each year. Plus, the flu costs the U.S. more than $10 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults.
The key to preventing the flu is the influenza vaccine, which has been proven most effective in preventing influenza infections. The CDC and World Health Organization recommend everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. Even if you had a flu shot or the flu last year, immunity to influenza viruses declines over time and may be too low to provide protection after a year, according to Public Health officials.
“Everyone needs to get their flu shot now, and the sooner the better. We’re seeing a few flu cases already and the season usually peaks around October,” said Lt. Col. Romico Caughman, chief, Army Public Health Nursing at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. “Fort Hood's influenza campaign is in full swing. The Great Place is required to have 90 percent of its Soldiers and required civilians vaccinated by Dec. 1.”
The vaccine comes as an injection, which is approved for adults and children six months and older; or as a nasal spray, which is approved only for healthy children two years and older and healthy adults up to 49 years.
“Vaccines are available now to everyone at all CRDAMC medical homes, and we don’t anticipate any shortages,” Caughman continued. “While the flu shot is also available at many clinics and pharmacies in the community, Fort Hood leadership is requiring all Soldiers to receive their immunizations on post this year. We highly encourage beneficiaries to do so as well.”
Walk in hours for family members in each CRDAMC Medical Home:
Thomas Moore: 8:30-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Bennett: 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
FMRC: 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Russell Collier: 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Killeen: 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Harker Heights: 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Copperas Cove: 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
More detailed information regarding this year’s influenza vaccines can be found at www.vaccines.mil/flu and www.cdc.gov/flu.
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2014 15:23 |
| Story ID: | 144098 |
| Location: | TX, US |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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