HEIDELBERG, Germany -- Seasonal influenza vaccine has arrived in Europe and is being
distributed to Army medical clinics throughout Europe, according to Col. Theresa Moser, chief
of the Force Health Protection Office, Europe Regional Medical Command. She has oversight of
this year's immunization program.
"We expect no vaccine shortages," said Moser. "We can begin immunizing everyone in our
population now -- no one should wait."
She said it takes about two weeks for your body to build immunity to the virus, so sooner is
better than later.
Plans to immunize beneficiaries in an effort to minimize the effects of influenza during the
coming months have been finalized. Clinic commanders have been charged with making early
efforts to vaccinate all active-duty and civilian health care providers. Family members and other
beneficiaries can get their shot now.
This year's goal is to immunize 95 percent of the Active Duty population and all civilian direct
health care providers by Dec. 1, a month earlier than last year's goal. One reason for this earlier
date is to be ready to begin a novel H1N1 immunization program if and when the vaccine is
available to DoD. That vaccine is undergoing clinical trials in the United States and is expected
to be available in mid-October, according to the U.S . Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
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