Flu vaccine available for active-duty, high-risk patients

  • Published
  • By Breanna Gaddie
  • 377th Medical Group
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The flu vaccine is now available, in shot or mist form, at the 377th Medical Group for active-duty Air Force members and those at high risk of developing complications from the virus.

Receiving a flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family members from the influenza virus during the upcoming flu season. Influenza is responsible for approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and an average of 36,000 deaths annually.

Getting the flu vaccination is mandatory for all active-duty Air Force members and must be done before December.

The influenza vaccine will be available at the Base Theater for active-duty Airmen, located on the east side of the base on G Avenue, next to the Gravity Airman
Ministry Center. The vaccine will be available Oct. 8 from 7 a.m. to noon, as well as Oct. 21 and 22 from noon to 4 p.m.

Active-duty members may also get their vaccine from the 377th Medical Group. The hours available for flu vaccine at the immunization clinic are Mondays from 7 a.m. to
noon and 1-4 p.m., Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.

High-risk patients may visit the clinic to receive their flu vaccine during the hours listed above. According to the Centers for Disease Control, high-risk patients include those ages 65 and up; children 6 months to 4 years old; pregnant women; patients with chronic heart, lung (including asthma), blood, liver, kidney, metabolic (including diabetes) disease; those with a weakened immune system; Native Americans; nursing home residents; morbidly obese patients; and health-care personnel.

For more information on the flu or the vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.