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Army health clinics and hospitals in Europe will begin immunizing TRICARE beneficiaries against the flu Oct. 15, according to Europe Regional Medical Command officials.
The first two weeks of the immunization program this year will focus on providing the vaccine to deployed or deploying Soldiers and civilians, as well as high-risk individuals. As more shipments arrive in theater, the program will expand to cover all TRICARE beneficiaries who receive care in Army medical treatment facilities in Europe. The ERMC goal is to provide the vaccine to everyone eligible by the end of December.
This year the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta recommend the vaccine for infants from six to 59 months of age, said Dr. (Lt. Col.) Robert A. Smith, ERMC Pediatrics consultant.
“I strongly urge parents to seek the immunization for their children, since infants in that age group are more likely to develop severe health problems should they contract the flu,” he said. “Also, young children are usually the carriers of influenza into families and by immunizing them, we help protect the entire household.”
Immunizations are the first line of defense against the flu, said another ERMC expert. According to Dr. (Lt. Col.) Bill Corr, ERMC epidemiology consultant, immunizations are especially effective this time of year.
“As we approach the winter months,” Dr. Corr noted, “people spend more time indoors with others. Those are conditions that make the spread of respiratory disease, such as the flu, more likely.”
Besides getting the flu vaccine, Dr. Corr also urges everyone to take other precautions, such as washing hands frequently, covering up coughs and sneezes, and keeping up a healthy diet.
Military treatment facilities announce specifics of their programs as they occur. MTF commanders will work with unit commanders in their areas to schedule unit-level immunizations. Getting the flu vaccine is mandatory for all active-duty Soldiers.
(Courtesy of U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs)
