The outbreak of flu related cases in the 2017-2018 season rose to a staggering 49 million flu illnesses, with more than 959,000 people hospitalized with complications related to the flu and a whopping 79,000 plus deaths were attributed to the flu.
Therefore, the U. S. Army Medical Department Activity-Fort Stewart, Winn Army Community Hospital Army Public Health Nursing team is working painstakingly hard to ensure the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Soldiers, Family members, retirees, DA Civilians and MEDDAC staff are ready for the flu season.
Since October 19 of last month, APHN team members tirelessly administered more than 3,500 vaccines throughout the Fort Stewart footprint. During the Drive-Thru Flu clinic, more than 2,500 flu shots were given.
One beneficiary, Capt. Jennifer Yurk, 3rd Infantry Division, said she sees the importance of getting her Family vaccinated.
"As a mom myself, I know it's really important for me to have my kids be healthy and ensure that they're feeling well throughout the flu season," Yurk said. "The flu, in the last several years, has gotten really bad and enabling them to get the shot to build those antibodies is very important to me."
The Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Yurk attended has a two-fold purpose, one, to conveniently vaccinate as many Tricare beneficiaries as possible, and two, the clinic also provided training for the APHN staff in the case of a pandemic.
"This is especially important for the medical folks here to do this because just as we do with Soldiers we train as we fight," Winn ACH APHN Health Promotion Coordinator, Diane Carlton said. "In order for them [APHN nurses and staff] to be effective, and ready to affect the population if there were to be some sort of wide spread virus they now have the practice of setting this up, actually executing and tearing down, so they're going to be much more proficient in the long run."
The effect of readiness of Soldiers here is also affected by the well-being of their Family members.
"If you are in a deployed environment and you do have all your vaccinations and you know your family is vaccinated as well, you do have less of a stress on you, because you know that they'll be healthy," said Master Sgt. Yolanda Scipio-Jones, Division Head Quarters, Head Quarters Battalion, 3rd ID.
The Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander, Col. Jason Wolter, led by example and got his flu vaccine alongside his staff. Wolter said the vaccination is important because having the flu shot is directly related to readiness.
"Keeping the force ready, is a proven and important part to do that and for all of our soldiers, but for our Families as well," Wolter said.
The APHN team continues to inoculate the Stewart-Hunter population and will hold the next Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Nov. 15 and 17 in the Hunter PX parking lot from 9 am-3pm (15) and 9 am-1 pm (17).
Please be sure to bring your DOD/military ID card with you to the clinic and be prepared to wait 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered to allay any possible side-effects.
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