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Army and Air Force medical officials are developing plans for all service members, family members, Department of Defense civilians and other eligible beneficiaries in the KMC to receive the flu vaccination. Multiple flu vaccination opportunities will be available throughout the KMC. Times, dates and locations will be publicized once the flu schedule is finalized.
Army and Air Force health professionals recommend the flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older.
At Air Force community outreach flu events, the vaccine will be provided to beneficiaries ages 6 months and older.
At Army community outreach flu events sponsored by the Kleber Health Clinic and Baumholder Health Clinic, the flu vaccine will be provided to beneficiaries ages 6 months and older. At Army community events sponsored by Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the flu vaccine will be offered to beneficiaries ages 4 years and older. The minimum eligibility age for flu vaccine will be highlighted for each community event in the KMC flu schedule, to be published at a later date. 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.
The FluMist nasal spray will not be provided this year. Based on data showing lower effectiveness of the FluMist compared to the injectable flu vaccine, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not using FluMist during the 2016-2017 flu season. It is Department of Defense policy to follow the annual ACIP influenza recommendations.
For many, such as military service members and health care workers, the annual flu vaccination is not only a recommendation; it is a requirement. 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 the upcoming flu vaccination events, which are provided as a convenience as wait times should be shorter than those expected at KMC immunization clinics.
It is estimated that each year in the U.S. an average of 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe.
During a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the U.S. range from a low near 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some people, such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is to receive the seasonal flu vaccination each year.
The flu season in Europe routinely continues through April, with the greatest number of cases occurring in January. 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 resources for information include:
• 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
