Fort Huachuca, Ariz. -- The walk-in Flu Vaccination Clinic at Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center opened Nov. 7. Free immunizations for active-duty Soldiers, Family members of all ages, Retirees and Civilians are offered 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday on the first floor of RWBAHC near the Radiology Department.
For permanent party, active-duty Soldiers only, the Soldier Care Clinic is offering vaccinations 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Military students in training can visit the Military Intelligence Student Clinic 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday to receive their vaccination. All Tricare enrollees who have appointments with a primary care manager will be offered a shot at the time of the scheduled appointment. Be advised that holiday hours and other closures may impact these times in the upcoming weeks.
Now is the time to be vaccinated before flu season begins. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from flu, including older people, very young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year by the end of October, if possible. However, getting vaccinated later is OK. Vaccination should continue throughout the flu season, even in January or later. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and March. Vaccinating as early as possible is recommended. It takes about two weeks after the vaccination for the body's immune response to fully respond and for you to be protected. Some children who have received flu vaccine previously and children who have only received one dose in their lifetime, may need two doses of flu vaccine. A health care provider can advise on how many doses a child should get.
RWBAHC offers a Flu Hotline to call anytime for the most up to date information at 520.522.2997.
Follow the RWBAHC Facebook page for flu and other health related updates at https://www.facebook.com/rwbahc or visit their website at http://rwbach.huachuca.amedd.army.mil/. To learn more about this year's flu season, visit the CDC FAQ page at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2016-2017.htm
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