Flu vaccine community events scheduled for KMC

The flu vaccine has arrived and will be offered to the KMC at various upcoming events.

Army and Air Force medical officials have developed plans for all service members, retirees, family members, Department of Defense civilians and other eligible beneficiaries to receive the flu vaccination in the KMC.

The FluMist nasal spray will not be provided this year, in accordance with Department of Defense policy to follow the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC is not recommending the nasal spray this year based on data showing lower effectiveness of the FluMist compared to the injectable flu vaccine.

Army and Air Force health professionals recommend the flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. At community outreach flu events sponsored by the Air Force, Kleber Health Clinic and Baumholder Health Clinic, the vaccine will be provided to beneficiaries ages 6 months and older. At community events sponsored by Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the flu vaccine will be offered to beneficiaries ages 4 years and older. If the flu vaccine is not available at a community event for those younger than 4 years of age, they should receive their vaccination at their military treatment facility pediatric clinic.

For many, annual vaccination is a requirement and not a recommendation. This includes military service members, healthcare workers, school age children, as well as childcare facility employees and attendees. These people should receive information from their unit or organization for guidance on when and where they will receive their vaccination.

Both military and civilian beneficiaries are encouraged to attend one of these events which are provided as a convenience, as wait times should be shorter than those expected at KMC Immunization Clinics.

A robust schedule of planned flu vaccine community events will be made available for local communities at locations listed below.

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Ramstein Enlisted Club; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 7 a.m. to noon Monday at the LRMC Heaton Auditorium; all beneficiaries 4 years old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at the Ramstein Enlisted Club; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sembach Elementary School; all beneficiaries 4 years old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Ramstein Enlisted Club; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Java Cafe in Baumholder; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Panzer Family Readiness Group Room, Bldg. 3005; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Ramstein Enlisted Club; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at the middle/high school Cafeteria in Baumholder; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Ramstein Enlisted Club; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center multipurpose room; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center multipurpose room; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Java Cafe in Baumholder; make-up date for all active duty and all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center multipurpose room; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at Vogelweh Elementary School; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center multipurpose room; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Sembach Tiger Theater; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Ramstein Enlisted Club; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Ramstein Enlisted Club; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Kleber Fitness Center; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above
• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Kleber Fitness Center; all beneficiaries 6 months old and above

It is estimated that each year in the U.S. an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe.

Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

The flu season in Europe routinely continues through April with the greatest number of cases occurring in January, according to U.S. Army Public Health Command — Europe. Vaccine and immunization information is available at the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines and the Department of Defense Military Vaccine Agency website at www.vaccines.mil.

Other contacts for information:

• Ramstein Immunization Clinic, 479-2549 or 06371-46-2549
• LRMC Allergy and Immunization Clinic, 590-5816 or 06371-9464-5816
• Kleber Army Health Clinic, 590-2615 or 06371-9464-2615
• Baumholder Army Health Clinic, 590-1135 or 06371-9464-1135