Reynolds Army Community Hospital (RACH) will kick off its annual Army Flu Campaign beginning in September.
Influenza vaccination is mandatory for uniformed personnel, health care personnel who provided direct patient care and is recommended for all others.
"Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses," said Maj. Orlando Ruiz Sosa, Fort Sill's chief of Army Public Health Nursing, which oversees the immunization program. "The best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated every year and practice good hand hygiene."
"I advise people to wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth; and to use hand sanitizers frequently when soap and water are not available. Each year, flu season typically extends from October to May. The type of vaccine an individual receives will depend on age and contributing health factors. This is determined during the pre-vaccination screening process," Sosa said.
For the 2014-2015 influenza season, DoD contracted for 3.8 million influenza doses. The Fort Sill campaign will use FLUMIST, FLULAVAL, and FLUZONE pediatric doses. FLUMIST is an intra-nasal vaccine approved for patients ages 2-49.
It is a live, but weakened, influenza vaccine which is sprayed into the nose. The FLULAVAL is an inactivated vaccine which is given by intra-muscular injection. It is approved for patients 3 years of age and older, and may be used for individuals with medical conditions that impede the use of intra-nasal FLUMIST (e.g., pregnancy and certain allergies). The FLUZONE pediatric dose pre-filled syringe is an inactivated influenza vaccine, which is indicated for children ages 6-35 months only. The injectable vaccine will also be administered to beneficiaries over 49 years old.
"Active-duty military personnel need to coordinate immunization with their units to receive their flu vaccine. Please remember to bring your military ID card and your family's shot records," Sosa added.
Clinic schedule for beneficiaries, ages 3 and above are as follows:
-- Sept. 15 - Commissary, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-- Sept. 18 - Retiree flu drive at Rinehart Fitness Center, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-- Sept. 20 - PX, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-- Sept. 24 - Southern Plains Community Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
-- Sept. 25 - Old Calvary Community Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
-- Sept. 29 & 30 - Sheridan Theater, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-- Oct. 4 - Commissary, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-- Oct. 11 - RACH, first floor, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
-- Nov. 1 - PX, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For children under age 3 and pregnant women, contact the immunization clinic at RACH. It is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. If a beneficiary cannot make one of these clinics, they can be receive their shots at the Immunization Clinic after Nov. 1 or any time at a community-authorized TRICARE retail network pharmacy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes guidelines for influenza vaccinations, and the Army will follow those guidelines in its annual campaign. For more information on influenza and the benefits of receiving the annual vaccination, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu.
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