Flu season is upon us

  • Published
  • By SSgt Adam C. Borgman
  • 927 Air Refueling Wing
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Florida --  Flu season typically begins each October and can continue as late as May, having a long-term impact on our mission readiness.

To combat the negative impact flu season can have on the wing, the 927th Aerospace Medical Squadron has set a goal to vaccinate at least 90% of all wing members by December 15.

To meet this goal, the 927 AMDS established a FluPlan for the 2014/2015 season. The intent of which is to ensure members of the 927th do not become one of the 25 million reported cases of influenza each year and will ensure our mission readiness will not be affected as we continue to be engaged around the world.

"Vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its complications," said Lt. Col. Tamzi Bramante, 927 AMDS Officer in Charge of immunizations. "Beginning in September, members with scheduled appointments will be immunized in-house based on vaccine availability."

Mass immunizations will be offered at various locations during the October and November UTAs. Members will be notified when and where each mass immunization will be held via the UTA schedules released each month.

If members are not vaccinated during their squadron's scheduled time, they can come to the clinic on Saturday of any UTA between 0800 and 1600, (if available.

The vaccine will be administered in one of two methods, an injectable vaccine or an intranasal spray. Prior to receiving the vaccine, every member will be required to complete a questionnaire to determine which vaccine they are eligible for.

Bramante recommends that immediately after you receive your immunization that you should implement these additional measures to help keep you well and stop the spread of germs:

- Avoid close contact with people that are sick
- Stay home if you are sick - at least 24 hrs after fever is gone and limit contact with others
- Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue when you cough/sneeze, or use the crook of your arm. Be sure to throw your dirty tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol based hand rub
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Clean/disinfect common use surfaces/objects that may be contaminated often

For members that receive their vaccination from non-military facilities, i.e., employer, doctor or pharmacy, it is the members' responsibility to provide documentation to the 927 AMDS medical staff. Per DoD policy this should be done no later than close of business the following duty day.

Documentation needs to be official and signed/stamped with name and title of vaccinator and include the following: patient name, date the vaccine was administered, manufacturer, lot number, dose, route, and anatomic site of vaccination. Scan and email required information to 927AMDS.medical@us.af.mil so your medical record can be updated.

It is AFRC's position is that anyone who is not current for their 2014 flu shot by January 1, 2015 should be placed on a "no pay no point" status.