JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The 633rd Medical Group from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia hosted a point-of-distribution exercise at the Langley Community Commons to demonstrate a mass medication dispensing capability by providing the flu shot to U.S. service members, families and retirees Oct. 5th through 7th.
The POD exercise was also used to expedite the process for Airmen to get their annually required flu shot during the work day and return to duty as quickly as possible.
“We did the POD last year and it only took between three and five minutes for each person to come in, get their shot, and go. We gave approximately 2,300 flu vaccines during the POD in 2015,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Stelios Theophanous, 633rd Medical Support Squadron satellite pharmacy chief. “That way everyone is able to get immunized [while] not taking up appointment times or having to stop in to the immunization clinic, so it’s more efficient.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. "Flu season" in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.
The CDC recommends use of injectable influenza vaccines during 2016-2017. The nasal spray flu vaccine is not available during 2016-2017.
To avoid major backups at lunch and other high volume times, Airmen on the installation were encouraged to come during the assigned time slots for their unit.
“We wanted to encourage Airmen to come during their time slot but if they absolutely couldn’t make it during that time, of course they could come in any other time during the POD,” said Theophanous. “Wednesday and Thursday had assigned units and Friday was set up for retirees and dependents and any others covered by TRICARE.”
More than 100 Airmen and volunteers worked the POD at the Community Commons, from set up and tear down, to check-in, processing paperwork and administering vaccines.
All patients covered under TRICARE unable to get their vaccine during the POD still have the opportunity to get the vaccine by visiting the walk-in Immunizations Clinic to get vaccinated. Parents with children under the age of nine should report to the Pediatric Immunizations Clinic for further screening.
All active duty U.S. Army Soldiers at Fort Eustis can get their vaccines at the Preventive Medicine Clinic, building 2792, during the following times:
13 Oct., 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
14 Oct., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
17 Oct., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
All retirees, dependents and others covered by TRICARE can attend the Flu Fair hosted at Anderson Field House on Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.