Are you ready for flu season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tina Jefferson
  • 14th Medical Operations Squadron
When the weather turns cold all seem to get out winter coats to protect their bodies from the cold winds outside, but we tend to forget how important it is to stay current on vaccines. 

With cold weather comes runny noses, coughing and sneezing and in some cases "the flu." Influenza is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat and lungs. Influenza can make a person sick for long periods of time and can lead to pneumonia. 

Flu symptoms include muscle aches, fever, chills, headache, dry cough and weakness. Each year in the United States, about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from getting the flu.
The good news is that the 14th Medical Group Immunizations Clinic has effective vaccines to help reduce the chances of getting the flu this season. 

Everyone ages six months and up should get a flu vaccine. The vaccine is mandatory for active duty personnel. We currently have three different vaccines depending upon the age and health of the patient. Healthy individuals aged two to 49 will receive a vaccine called FluMist®; a nasal spray. Beneficiaries 50 years and older or with certain health conditions will receive the FluLaval® Vaccine; an injection. Children six months to 17 years old will receive the Fluzone® Vaccine; also an injection. All three vaccines provide the same protection against the Influenza virus. 

While the 14th MDG have not received our full shipment of flu vaccines, the 14 MDG Immunizations Clinic began giving the influenza to all Active Duty personnel and their dependents, Retirees and Department of Defense civilian personnel Thursday, at the Clinic. Active Duty, Civilian and Contract personnel will receive their vaccines at the Kaye Auditorium on Wednesday and Thursday. Active Duty Fliers will receive their vaccines on Friday at Phillips Auditorium. 

If for some reason our full shipment does not arrive as planned, these dates, of course will be adjusted. For non-active duty personnel that choose not to wait, the Lowndes County Health Department supplies the flu shot for $25 each. 

For questions about the flu vaccines, please call the 14th MDOS Immunizations Clinic at 434-2187.