Flu vaccine available at KAHC

By Tereasa Wade, KAHC Public Affairs OfficerOctober 22, 2015

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FORT LEE, Va. (Oct. 22, 2015) -- After a bit of a delay, the 2015 influenza vaccine is now available to all enrolled beneficiaries at Kenner Army Health Clinic.

The flu campaign began a little late this year, said Capt. Leonna Ameduite, the officer in charge of the mission.

"In the early days of the flu season, there was a nationwide shortage of vaccines available," she noted. "Our mission is to complete a Department of Defense directive requiring 90 percent of active duty personnel be immunized by Dec. 15 and to provide family members and DOD Civilians with protection against the flu virus as quickly as we can."

The campaign to vaccinate the active duty population is well underway, Ameduite said.

"We've been working with units on Fort Lee and began vaccinating the advanced individual training and permanent party populations earlier this month," she said. "We'll continue to provide on-site flu clinics into November for our active duty people and offer a make-up day Nov. 13 for individuals who could not make their unit's flu clinic."

Ameduite emphasized active duty military should not get their vaccines from local pharmacies, community health fairs or the like. In order for the military member's medical readiness to be documented correctly, they should only get their vaccinations through the Kenner immunization program.

The flu season usually begins in early October and runs through late May, Ameduite said. Health care providers recommend an annual immunization to build up with body's defenses against the viruses that change yearly.

"Individuals at greater risk for getting the flu should make getting the vaccine a high priority," she said. "They include children aged six months to 18 years, adults over 50 years old, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems due to chronic illnesses."

The Family Medicine Clinic offers flu shots to adult beneficiaries and is open for walk-ins Monday-Friday, 7:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. No vaccinations are given in the FMC after 11:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month.

The walk-in immunization hours at the Wilkerson Pediatric Clinic are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7:30-11 a.m. and 1:15-3:15 p.m., and Thursday, 7:30-11 a.m. only.

DoD Civilians can get their immunizations on Wednesdays, 9-11 a.m., beginning Oct. 21. A valid common access card is required. Vaccinations will be given in the Preventive Medicine Classroom on the second floor of Kenner.

The clinic staff also will offer two late evening flu clinics Oct. 27 and 29 until 7 p.m. for both pediatric patients in the Wilkerson Pediatric Clinic and family members in the Family Medicine Clinic.

Beneficiaries not enrolled at Kenner should speak with their primary care managers about where to obtain their yearly vaccine.

For more details, call (804) 734-9891.