JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
This is our mission as we prepare for the 2011-2012 flu season. Everyone is urged to get vaccinated to decrease the likelihood of a widespread epidemic.
Every year, the World Health Organization meets along with experts from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to study virus samples collected from around the world. The goal is to identify the influenza viruses most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season so people can be protected against them through vaccination.
This year, the seasonal vaccine is identical to last year's, which included the H1N1 strain as well as H3N2 and Influenza B. Also, like last year, the flu mist as well as the shot will be available at the USAF Langley Hospital.
The most effective way to prevent the majority of flu infections is through an annual vaccination combined with proper hand washing and cough etiquette. It is important to know even though the vaccine contains the same strains of the virus as last year's, we need to be vaccinated each year because everyone's immunity to influenza viruses declines over time. A single vaccination is too low to provide protection after a year.
Even if you were not vaccinated last year, it is important to go ahead and receive the vaccination this year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized every year for flu-related complications in the United States; most all are preventable with vaccination.
During this flu season, venues for the influenza vaccine will be announced base wide as shipments arrive. Military personnel vaccinations have already started.
Per Department of Defense policy for the 2011-2012 Influenza Immunization Program: "To ensure conservation of resources and to ensure compliance with the requirement for uniformed personnel to be vaccinated against influenza, all Active Duty Air Force and Air Reserve Component personnel on full-time military status located on an installation with MTF must receive their vaccines through the MTF."
For more information, contact Joint Base Langley-Eustis immunizations at 764-6985 or Public Health at 764-5252.
Stay healthy - get vaccinated as soon as flu venues are announced in late September through early October.