FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Weed Army Community Hospital staff members completed their final week of the extended hours Flu Clinic vaccinating over 225 TRICARE beneficiaries of the Fort Irwin community Dec 12.
“The extended hours Flu Clinic was designed to offer additional availability outside of work or school hours for Soldiers and family members,” said Maj. Danielle Nichols, Chief of Preventive Medicine for Weed Army Community Hospital.
Every Wednesday, from 1 – 6:30 pm, hospital staff members from different departments were readily available to administer flu vaccines to the community. The team consisted of staff from Army Public Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Ward and Primary Care Clinic who offered their services to ensure the community received vaccination to keep our population healthy.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 160 million doses of flu vaccines have been distributed this season. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. Flu vaccine has many benefits and is the best way to reduce your risk of flu and its potentially serious consequences.
The Fort Irwin community is comprised of Soldiers, family members and employees whose primary mission is to support the National Training Center. NTC provides armored units the ability to train at the brigade level implementing the simultaneity of offensive, defensive and stability operations to achieve rapid dominance and conclusion to conflict through Decisive Action. All beneficiaries on Ft Irwin play a significant role in this mission which is why ensuring that they are ready and resilient is a top priority for WACH.
“Influenza vaccination prevents or reduces severity of flu illnesses and associated complications thereby keeping personnel healthy and ready for their mission,” said Nichols.
Being able to have access to the vaccine outside normal hours played a vital role in vaccinating not just our Soldiers, but their family members as well. Additionally during two outreach events into the community, 56 vaccinations were provided to Child and Youth Services staff members, in support of job position requirements.
With the help of diligent staff, command leadership and thinking outside “The Box” Maj. Nichols and the Preventive Medicine team was able to reach 97% compliance of all active duty Soldiers before the holiday season. Soldiers, family members and all TRICARE beneficiaries can receive the vaccine at any time during the Immunization Clinic normal business hours, or by contacting their unit representatives.
For more information visit https://www.irwin.amedd.army.mil/pages/immunization.html.