Influenza vaccinations available through 99 MDG

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bailee Darbasie | Chief Master Sgt. Ronald D. Beadles, 99th Air Base Wing command chief, receives his flu shot from Staff Sgt. Danielle Washington, 99th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, Oct. 11, 2018 at vaccination event held on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The 99th Medical Group hopes to vaccinate 9,300 service members before Dec. 15. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Bailee A. Darbasie)  

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NV, UNITED STATES

10.15.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Bailee Darbasie 

Nellis Air Force Base

The 99th Medical Group (MDG) began the 2018-2019 Influenza Campaign by administering influenza vaccinations to approximately 50 Airmen Oct. 11 at the 99th Air Base Wing command section on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Senior Master Sgt. David Boydston, 99th Medical Services Flight superintendent, said the 99th MDG expects to inoculate 9,300 active-duty, Guard and Reserve members before Dec. 15 through careful planning and collaboration with public health, medical readiness, medical logistics and the pharmacy.

99 MDG Airmen will begin administering flu vaccinations to nearly 3,500 Airmen Oct. 17-18 at Community Commons. To expedite the process, squadrons will be assigned to pre-determined time slots for their Airmen to get vaccinated.

Airmen unable to attend the mass flu line can receive their vaccination by visiting the Immunizations Clinic or the Fast-Track Line in the Atrium, both located at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center on base.

“We will not turn away any Airman who was unable to receive their vaccination during their unit’s established time slot,” said Staff Sgt. Heather Forester, the 99th MDG Allergy and Immunizations Clinic NCO in charge.

Forester said recent influenza strains have proved fatal to high-risk patients, such as children younger than age 5 and adults older than age 65. Vaccinations are a critical care opportunity to protect Airmen, their families and the community from illnesses; therefore, all TRICARE beneficiaries six months and older will be able to get their flu vaccines starting Oct. 19 at the Immunizations Clinic.

Individuals who show early symptoms of the flu should seek medical care immediately, drink plenty of fluids and rest.

For more information regarding the flu or vaccination, call the 99th MDG at 702-653-2470.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2018
• Date Posted: 10.17.2018 16:45
• Story ID: 296529
• Location: NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NV, US