H1N1 vaccine comes to Okinawa

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena medical officials will begin distributing the H1N1 vaccine to pregnant women and children ages 6 to 35 months old, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 23, and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 24, at Kadena' s Keystone Theater.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1, commonly known as "swine flu," is a new strain of the influenza virus that was first detected in April.

"Vaccination is the best protection we have against the flu," said Capt. William Lujan, 18th Aerospace Medical Squadron Public Health Flight commander. "Forty-eight states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time and hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu are climbing and are higher than expected for this time of year."

The CDC noted the virus can be spread from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing and touching contaminated objects. Because of how widespread the virus is, the Defense Department began distributing the vaccine to the military community. Since there's a limited supply of the vaccine, medical facilities are receiving small shipments at this time.

"We are starting with the most vulnerable population, as defined by the CDC, because we have a limited supply," said Col. Ronald D. Poole, Public Health Emergency Consultant for Okinawa.

"Our primary goal is to vaccinate all those that are at higher risk for influenza-related complications first and then all others," Captain Lujan added.

Those who are considered "at risk" for the virus include pregnant women, people between the ages of six months and 24 years old, daycare and healthcare providers and emergency medical personnel. Parents who have children ages 3 to 5 years old with high risk medical conditions should contact their primary care provider to arrange for the vaccination.

People can expect side effects to be similar to the seasonal flu vaccine. Patients may experience a red or swollen area where the shot was given, headache, muscle ache, tiredness and fever.

Patients are required to have their ID card ready in order to receive the shot.

Public health officials said they will distribute the vaccine to the rest of the military population as it becomes available. Visit www.kadena.af.mil for updates on this issue. For more information on the H1N1 vaccine, log onto http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination.