Are you ready for flu season? Published Oct. 9, 2008 By Senior Airman Tina Jefferson 14th Medical Operations Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- When the weather turns cold, we all seem to get our winter coats out to protect our bodies from the cold winds outside, but we tend to forget how important it is for us to stay current on our 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 which attacks the nose, throat and lungs. Influenza can make you 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 your flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from getting the flu. The good news is that your 14th Medical Group Immunizations Clinic has an effective vaccine in stock called FluMist® to help reduce your chances of getting the flu this season. FluMist® is administered as a nasal spray rather than by injection. Healthy individuals aged 2 - 49 who are not pregnant, or have any current health problems will receive FluMist®; a nasal spray. People over 50 years of age, and children six months to two years old with certain health conditions are eligible to receive the Fluzone® Vaccine; an injection. Unfortunately, the 14th MDG Immunizations Clinic has not yet received a shipment of the Fluzone® Vaccine. An announcement will be made when the vaccine is available. Both vaccines provide the same protection against the Influenza virus. Annual vaccination of all children aged six months through four years of age continue to be a primary focus of vaccination efforts because these children are at higher risk for influenza complications compared with older children. Nonetheless, everyone six months and up should receive a flu shot this season. For active duty military personnel, this is mandatory. The 14th MDG Immunizations Clinic will begin giving the FluMist® to all qualified Dependents, Retirees and Department of Defense civilian personnel Oct. 20 at the clinic. For non-active duty personnel, if you choose not to wait, there is an option available to you; Lowndes County Health Department supplies the flu shot for $25 each. For questions about the flu vaccines, please call the 14th Medical Operations Squadron Immunizations Clinic, at 434-2187. Below are the dates and times of base wide flu vaccinations for military, civilian and contract personnel to receive their vaccines. Following are the dates and times of Base wide Flu administration: · Oct. 10 - 1 p.m.to 4:30 p.m. -- Active duty fliers only - Phillips Auditorium · Oct. 16 -- Noon to 4:30 p.m. -- Military, civilian and Contract Personnel - Base Gym · Oct. 17 - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Military, civilian and Contract Personnel - Base Gym · Oct. 17 - 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- Military, civilian and Contract Personnel - Base Gym