The flu vaccine has arrived and will be offered to the Kaiserslautern Military Community at numerous events throughout the area. In addition, patients may also receive the vaccine during scheduled appointments in their primary care clinics as well as...

LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Germany -- The flu vaccine has arrived and will be offered to the Kaiserslautern Military Community at numerous events throughout the area. In addition, patients may also receive the vaccine during scheduled appointments in their primary care clinics as well as the Immunization, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatric clinics.

Army and Air Force health professionals recommend the flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older to prevent getting the flu or reducing the severity and duration of symptoms.

"The flu can be life threatening and the most dangerous for those who cannot be vaccinated, like infants, the elderly and people with health complications," said Chief of Army Public Health Nursing for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Maj. Timothy Whoolery. "This is why everyone who can get vaccinated against the flu really needs to get the vaccine, to reduce the spread to our high risk population."

For many people, 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. Anyone required to receive the vaccine should ask their unit or organization for guidance about when and where to get it.

LRMC and the Air Force's 86th Medical Group will host a number of flu vaccine events throughout the local communities. The vaccine will be offered at these community events to anyone 6 months and older who is eligible for healthcare at a military treatment facility, unless otherwise noted below. Everyone is encouraged to attend one of these events, as wait times are typically much shorter than in the clinical setting.

Although the vaccine is provided at no cost to the patient, Army medical staff will be asking all but active duty patients to submit their health insurance information, so please bring a copy of a current health insurance card.

Below is a listing of flu vaccine events throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community as well as the Baumholder community. For more information on the flu vaccine, please speak with your primary care manager.

Sept. 25-19, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Ramstein Health and Wellness Center - Active Duty

Sept. 28, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., LRMC Heaton Auditorium - Active Duty

Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Hall of Champions - 16th Sustainment Brigade & 92nd Military Police Company

Oct. 3, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 3, 7:30 a.m.-noon, LRMC Heaton Auditorium - LRMC Healthcare workers

Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Hall of Champions- 4th Infantry Division & 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion

Oct. 4, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Kleber Fitness Center - LRMC Active Duty Units

Oct. 6, 7:30 a.m.-noon, LRMC Heaton Auditorium- LRMC U.S. Contractors & Local Nationals

Oct. 10, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 10, 3-6 p.m., Baumholder Java Café

Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 11, 2-6 p.m., Landstuhl Elementary School - *4 years and older

Oct. 12- 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sembach Tiger Theater

Oct. 12, 6-8:30 p.m., College Night, Bldg. 237, Rhine Ordinance Barracks - *4 years and older

Oct. 17, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 17, 7:30 a.m.-noon, LRMC Heaton Auditorium - *4 years and older

Oct. 17, 2-6 p.m., Smith Elementary School

Oct. 18, 2-6 p.m., Vogelweh Elementary School - *4 years and older

Oct. 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Retiree Appreciation Day at Ramstein Officers Club

Oct. 19, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Panzer, Bldg. 3003 FRG Room - Active Duty Units

Oct. 23, 2-6 p.m., Baumholder Middle/High School

Oct. 24, 7:30 a.m.-noon, LRMC Heaton Auditorium - *4 years and older

Oct. 24, 2-6 p.m., Bldg. 8884 (Wetzel) Baumholder

Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 26, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Panzer, Bldg. 3003 FRG Room

Oct. 26, 2-6 p.m., Kaiserslautern School Complex - *4 years and older

Oct. 27, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Oct. 31, 2-6 p.m., Hall of Champions

Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC Mall

Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Vogelweh Community Center

Nov. 2, 2-6 p.m. Sembach Elementary School - *4 years and older

Nov. 3, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Ramstein Elementary Parent Teacher Day

Nov. 7, 3-6 p.m. , Baumholder Java Café

Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Kleber Fitness Center

Nov. 13, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Ramstein Elementary Parent Teacher Day

Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Resource Fair KMCC - *4 years and older

Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Kleber Fitness Center

*Only for ages 4 and up. Children under 4 years of age should receive their vaccine at a different community event or in their Pediatric clinic.