Flu vaccine will be offered at 30 Kaiserslautern Military Community events beginning Sept. 29, and Army and Air Force medical officials have developed plans for all servicemembers and civilians to receive their vaccination.
The available vaccines include the intranasal Flumist for healthy beneficiaries between the ages of 2 and 49, and multiple formulations of the injectable vaccine for the pediatric population.
At community events, beneficiaries must be 4 or older. Those younger than 4 should receive their vaccination at their Military Treatment Facility Immunization Clinic. Also, those who are allergic to eggs will not be able to receive their vaccine at a community event. To receive their vaccine, they should see their Primary Care Provider.
For many, annual vaccination is a requirement and not a recommendation. This includes military servicemembers, healthcare workers, school age children, as well as childcare facility employees and attendees. These people should receive information from their unit or organization for guidance on when and where they will receive their vaccination.
Both military and civilian beneficiaries are encouraged to attend one of these events which are provided as a convenience, as wait times should be shorter than those expected at KMC Immunization Clinics.
A robust schedule of planned flu vaccine community events will be made available for local communities at locations listed below.
• Sept. 29-30 from 8 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at the HAWC at Ramstein Air Base
• Oct. 2 from 7:30 a.m. -- 4 p.m. in the LRMC Heaton
• Oct. 3-4 from 8 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at the KMCC at Ramstein Air Base
• Oct. 5 from 7:30 a.m. -- 4 p.m. in the LRMC Heaton Auditorium
• Oct. 6-7 from 8 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at the HAWC at Ramstein Air Base
• Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. -- 6 p.m. at the Landstuhl Elementary & Middle School
• Oct. 8 from 8:30 a.m. -- 3 p.m. at the Hall of Champions at Baumholder
• Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at the KMCC at Ramstein Air Base
• Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. -- 3 p.m. in Bldg. 3003 (FRG Room in basement) at Panzer Kaserne
• Oct. 13-14 from 8 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at the HAWC at Ramstein Air Base
• Oct. 14 from 2 p.m. -- 6 p.m. at Sembach Elementary & Middle School
• Oct. 15 from 12:30 p.m. -- 4 p.m. at Smith Elementary School at Baumholder
• Oct. 15 from 7:30 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at LRMC Heaton Auditorium (Retiree Appreciation Day/Open to All Beneficiaries)
• Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. -- 1 p.m. at the Red Ribbon Event at Rhine Ordnance Barrack
• Oct. 19 from 7:30 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at LRMC Heaton Auditorium
• Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. -- 3 p.m. in the Kleber Kaserne Gym
• Oct. 20 from 2 p.m. -- 6 p.m. in the Wetzel Teen Center at Baumholder
• Oct. 21 from 2 p.m. -- 6 p.m. in the Middle/High School Cafeteria at Baumholder
• Oct. 22 from 2 p.m. -- 7 p.m. at Kaiserslautern Elementary, Middle & High School
• Oct. 29 from 2 p.m. -- 6 p.m. at Armstrong's Club
• Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. -- Noon in Bldg. 3003 (FRG Room in basement) at Panzer Kaserne
• Oct. 31 from 2 p.m. -- 6 p.m. in the Java Café at Baumholder
• Nov. 2 from 7:30 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at LRMC Heaton Auditorium
• Nov. 9 from 7:30 a.m. -- 4 p.m. at LRMC Heaton Auditorium
• Nov. 10 from 8:30 a.m. -- 3 p.m. in the Tiger Theater at Sembach
• Nov. 17 from 8:30 a.m. -- 3 p.m. in the Community Center at Vogelweh
It is estimated that each year in the U.S. that an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, and that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe.
Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
The flu season in Europe routinely continues through April with the greatest number of cases occurring in January. Vaccine and immunization information is available at the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines and the Department of Defense Military Vaccine Agency website at www.vaccines.mil
Other contacts for information:
* Ramstein Immunization Clinic at DSN 479-2549/Commercial 06371-46-2549
* LRMC Allergy & Immunization Clinic at DSN 590-5816/Commercial 06371-9464-5816
* Kleber Army Health Clinic at DSN 590-2615/Commercial 06371-9464-2615
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