Flu season is here and Lyster Army Health is prepared to provide vaccination to improve the health and maintain readiness of the force.

Active Duty Soldiers can obtain the flu shot October 17 through October 22 at Yano Hall beginning at 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. The flu vaccine will be available at the Retiree Health Fair Friday, October 28 at Yano Hall and for beneficiaries on Monday, October 31 in the preventive medicine department at LAHC.

Flu shots will be available in the preventive medicine department from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Patients should keep in mind that lunchtime is the busiest time for the department.

"We hope to make it easily accessible to individuals who do not want to make a doctor's appointment off post or may just be putting off getting the vaccine. We hope our eligible population takes advantage of this free, but extremely beneficial benefit," said Cpt. Pamela Francis, Chief of LAHC Preventive Medicine.

Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of receiving the vaccine as early as they can. Likewise, Department of Defense schools require children be vaccinated no later than December 2.

In accordance with effectiveness recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Army will not be offering live attenuated influenza vaccine, known as FluMist. The nasal spray vaccine is not being recommended this year because recent research has questioned its effectiveness. Researchers are still trying to confirm if and why the nasal version might be less effective than the shot.

Flu season is often unpredictable and has the potential to impact Department of Defense force readiness and mission. In the United States, influenza results in more than 40 million reported cases, more than 750,000 hospitalizations due to serious complications, and up to 50,000 deaths annually.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months and older. It's especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.

Those at higher risk for complications from influenza include people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, children younger than five years old and adults age 65 and older

Taking necessary steps to prevent or stop the spread of the flu include washing hands often with soap and water or using anti-bacterial gel when soap and water is not available, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, covering your cough or sneeze, and staying home when sick.

To stay up to date on flu vaccine availability, be sure to check LAHC's website and Facebook page, or call the preventive medicine department at 334-255-7260/7332.