FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- MEDDAC Weed Army Community Hospital Commander Col. Jason Wieman along with a team from the WACH Preventive Medicine Department and Immunization Clinic paid a house call to National Training Center (NTC) Headquarters 5 October to administer flu shots to NTC Leadership including Commanding General Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin and Command Sgt. Maj Noe Salinas who each received a shot in the arm.
Fort Irwin United States Army Garrison Commander Col. Scott Taylor and Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Esmurria, also stepped in to get their immunizations during Wieman's visit.
"NTC leadership is always setting the example when it comes to Soldiers and community health issues. The office call today is just another way they help us at the WACH let people know they should get out there and get their flu shots to protect themselves and their families." said Wieman.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta Ga., yearly vaccination should begin soon after flu vaccine is available, ideally by October. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, usually influenza activity peaks in January or later. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body. Antibodies protect us against influenza virus infection. It is best to get vaccinated so everyone is protected before influenza begins spreading in the community.
The CDC annually ranks influenza as one of the top ten leading causes of age-adjusted death in the United States.
There are several flu vaccine options for the 2015-2016 season. Traditional vaccines (called "trivalent" vaccines) are made to protect against three different strains of viruses (two A viruses and one B virus). Quadrivalent vaccines also are available and protect against four different flu viruses (two A viruses and two B viruses). Influenza vaccines may be given by injection-intramuscular/intradermal or by nasal spray.
For the 2015-2016 influenza season, the Army has contracted for almost 1.3 million doses of influenza vaccine. This helps to ensure that Soldiers and beneficiaries are protected against influenza. In late September, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) began delivering this year's unique influenza vaccine to military treatment facilities.
The 2015-2016 flu season will be here soon. The Preventive Medicine staff at the WACH urges everyone to take care of themselves during the 2015-2016 flu season and make the time to get vaccinated as soon as it becomes available. Patients of the Fort Irwin healthcare system can ask their primary care providers for the vaccine.
ABOUT THE WEED ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Weed Army Community Hospital (WACH) is part of the United States Army Medical Department Activity, better known to service members by its acronym MEDDAC.
The WACH on Fort Irwin is home to approximately 500 health care professionals and medical staff providing 24/7 support to the National Training Center (NTC), one of the U.S. Army's largest training areas with over 1,000 square miles of maneuver areas, state of the art training facilities and ranges, with airspace restricted to military use.
Fort Irwin's isolation makes it an ideal site for a variety of NTC training and exercises, consequently the Weed Army Community Hospital is a vital pillar in support of the NTC and Fort Irwin community.
A new $160 million, 216,000 square foot hospital, currently under construction, is scheduled to replace the Weed Army Community Hospital in the fall of 2016. The opening of the new facility will mark a significant milestone in the United States Department of Defense commitment to delivering the best possible healthcare to all service members and their families, and underlines the importance of the NTC and the role MEDDAC personnel and facilities play in support of service members and their families at Fort Irwin.
To learn more about the people and facilities of the Weed Army Community Hospital visit their website at www.irwin.amedd.army.mil or visit the WACH on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WeedArmy
Related Links:
Weed Army Community Hospital on Facebook
Social Sharing