Flu shots now avaliable in Okinawa Published Oct. 6, 2010 By U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa USNH Public Affairs CAMP LESTER, Japan -- The 2010-2011 annual flu vaccine program is underway at military bases in Okinawa, and medical personnel have been immunizing active duty service members since September. Military public health officials at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa and 18th Medical Group announced that beginning Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, the seasonal flu vaccine will be available to all beneficiaries on Okinawa. Eligible beneficiaries include DoD family members, retirees, SOFA sponsored civilians and their families and anyone eligible for care at military health facilities in Okinawa. The vaccination is free for pay patients. Flu vaccine will be administered at the U.S. Naval Hospital immunizations clinic on Camp Lester, Family Medicine Clinics on Camps Courtney and Kinser, and at the 18th Medical Group Immunizations Clinic on Kadena Air Base. Active duty personnel should check with their chain of command for information regarding where to obtain a flu shot. The seasonal influenza vaccine is mandatory for all military personnel unless medically waived. The Kadena Clinic will offer flu shots for active duty, dependants, retirees, and SOFA status civilians at the immunizations clinic Mondays & Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, contact the 18th MDG immunizations clinic at 630-4415. Additionally, the clinic will setup at Kadena's base theater Oct. 18 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 pm. They will also be there Oct. 19-21 from 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The U.S. Naval Hospital immunizations clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Appointments are available by calling 643-7441. Flu vaccine hours for Bush and Kinser Clinics are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Appointments can be made at Kinser Clinic by calling 637-4995. According to Lt. Carl Blaesing, Head of Preventive Medicine at U.S. Naval Hospital, the annual flu season in Okinawa generally peaks anywhere from late December through March. "Influenza can be a serious disease, and people of any age can get it... people should get immunized at the earliest possible opportunity," he said. This year, Naval Hospital and 18th MDG officials point out that special considerations are being made for infants. Children aged 6 months to 8 years who: A) did not receive at least 1 dose of an influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine; B) who have never received a seasonal influenza vaccine before; or C) who were vaccinated for the first time with the 2009-2010 seasonal vaccine but who received only 1 dose, should receive 2 doses of the 2010--11 seasonal influenza vaccine formula, spaced 4 or more weeks apart. Parents seeking clarification or further information can contact any of the clinics where the vaccine is given, or talk to their primary care provider. According to the Centers for Disease Control, this year most adults should only need a single dose of vaccine to be protected for this influenza season. The 2010-2011 annual seasonal influenza vaccine contains multiple influenza viruses, including the H1N1 strain. The U. S. Department of Health & Human Services and Centers for Disease Control recommend that pregnant women receive the seasonal flu vaccine, which can safely be given in any trimester. Some people should consult a physician before getting vaccinated. They include people who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs; those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past; and people who developed Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. Also, people who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait until their symptoms diminish before getting vaccinated. Additionally, people can take several precautionary measures to protect themselves and others and to reduce the risk of getting the flu. "The main way that influenza viruses are spread through the community is from person to person through respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes," said Blaesing. For more information regarding 2010-11 seasonal flu immunizations contact: · U.S. Naval Hospital Immunizations Clinic: 643-7441 · 18th Medical Group (Kadena Clinic): 630-4415 · Bush Family Medicine Clinic (Camp Courtney): 622-7632/7633 · Kinser Family Medicine Clinic: 637-4995 For information regarding the seasonal 2010-2011 flu immunization program and precautionary measures to reduce the spread of influenza, go to www.vaccines.mil or http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011season.htm.