HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah –
Base officials are partnering with the Davis County Health Department to make it easier for Hill's civilians to receive the flu vaccine this year.
The health department will offer insurance billed flu vaccinations to Hill's non-Tricare beneficiary civilian employees during a series of on-base clinics held in October and November.
"The best protection from influenza is to get a flu shot," said Dr. Chris Kleinsmith, Chief of Occupational Medicine Services. "By partnering with the Davis County Health Department we are encouraging the base's civilian employees to get the flu vaccine by making the vaccine more easily accessible."
Air Force Materiel Command, the parent command for Hill AFB, made free flu vaccine available for its civilian employees the past two years, but made the hard decision not to offer the vaccine for free this year because of current fiscal constraints.
The flu vaccination is a covered benefit by most health insurance plans offered to Hill's civilian employees. Those insurance plans include PEHP, Select Health, Altius, United Health, Educator's Mutual, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and MHBP. These plans will cover the cost of the vaccine given during the on-base clinics offered by the health department.
The Davis County Public Health Department will hold 11 flu vaccination clinics. Blood pressure and cholesterol screenings will also be offered during many of the clinics.
Employees who want to take advantage of the on-base clinics must bring their proof of insurance card; otherwise, non-insurance billed flu vaccine will cost $25 for the flu shot and $30 for the flu mist. Other types of insurance billed flu vaccine will also be made available at the clinics.
- Oct. 8, 6 to 9 a.m., Bldg. 225, Joe Bailey Conference Room
- Oct. 15, 8 a.m. to noon, Warrior Fitness Center
- Oct. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Base Exchange
- Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to noon, Bldg. 1209, Large Conference Room
- Oct. 30, 2-5 p.m., Warrior Fitness Center
- Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to noon, Bldg. 507, Roessler Conference Room
- Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to noon, Bldg. 1209, Large Conference Room
- Nov. 5, 7-10 a.m., Bldg. 100, Ray Close Conference Room
- Nov. 6, 2:30 to 5 p.m., Bldg. 100, Ray Close Conference Room
- Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to noon, Bldg. 1234, Main Conference Room
- Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Warrior Fitness Center (during the Fall Expo)
- Nov. 20, 7-10 a.m., Bldg. 1515, Executive Conference Room
Civilian employees who miss getting vaccinated on base can get the vaccine off base at the Davis County Health Department in nearby Clearfield on 22 South State St., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
Vener DeFriez, Davis County Health Department, said children up to 18 years old who do not have health insurance are eligible for free state-supplied vaccine and only pay an administration fee of $5.
Tricare will continue to provide flu vaccines for all active duty members, military retirees and military family members. Vaccinations are available at the 75th Medical Group immunizations clinic and during vaccination lines being held across the installation.
For more information about the flu vaccine clinics being offered on base, please contact Angela Griffin, Occupational Medicine Services, at 801-777-1167 or Doug Pierson, Public Health, 801-586-9582.
Davis County Public Health online is at
http://www.co.davis.ut.us/health/flu/default.cfm.