USAG YONGSAN - U.S Army Garrison Yongsan welcomed all active duty, dependents, retirees, TRICARE beneficiaries, DoD Civilians, Korean nationals employed by DoD, and KATUSAs to the U.S. Army to join in the fight against the flu, starting the first week of October. Peak influenza virus season starts at the end of December and we highly recommend that the influenza vaccine is received from the beginning of October and no later than mid-December.
"It was a very quick and easy process," said civilian Ha Kyoung Kim, Management Support Assistant for Directorate of Human Resources, USAG Yongsan. "I went to the 121 Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital, and the person who administered the shot was very helpful."
Vaccination against the flu is highly encouraged for all eligible recipients and required for active
duty military members. The influenza virus can cause serious complications, sometimes leading to hospitalization and even death. Particularly for confined installations like USAG Yongsan, the infection rate can increase as a result of the high density of people in housing areas, barracks, and dining facilities.
The reason for the annual flu shot is because the human body's immune response declines over time, and flu viruses constantly change. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2017-2018 flu vaccines will protect against four strains of the influenza virus, including the A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus, A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and B/ Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus, and B/Phuket/3073/2013-like antigens.
The Area II influenza vaccination campaign started at 1RC, Oct. 5, 2017, vaccinating all new active duty arrivals to the Korean peninsula. Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital (BAACH) began providing influenza vaccinations in the Pharmacy waiting area and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Oct. 10, 2017.
The seasonal influenza outreach by the local Preventive Medicine and BAACH staff kicked off in the third week of October with BAACH staff and Emergency Essential Civilians/Mission Essential Civilians, administering the flu shot to approximately 1,300 health care employees and mission critical personnel. This event was intended to allow ease of access of influenza vaccinations to BAACH staff and Mission Critical personnel who support the daily missions of USAG Yongsan. Flu shots were then scheduled at public venues like the Yongsan Main PX Food Court and Yongsan Commissary.
Upcoming opportunities for getting a flu shot include: the Elementary School Gym on Nov. 8 for
DODEA enrolled children, the High School Falcon Gym on Nov. 9 for DODEA enrolled children, the
Commissary on Nov. 11, the Main PX Food Court on Nov. 16, and at the Dragon Hill Lodge during
Retiree Appreciation Day on Nov. 18 for retirees.
Vaccines are available Monday through Friday at the BAACH Pharmacy waiting area and PCMH, and will continue at 1st Reception Company for all newly arriving soldiers. The deadline for DODEA school students to have their flu shots is Dec. 1, or risk being unenrolled from school. The deadline for all active duty personnel is Dec. 15.
For more information on flu shots, please contact BAACH at DSN 737-1411or visit the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/flu
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