Taking a shot against flu season: Team Dover to receive vaccine

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Medical Group is now offering the seasonal flu vaccine at no cost for all military retirees, dependents of active-duty members and retirees and Department of Defense civilian employees.

Patients can walk into the 436th MDG Immunizations Clinic on the third floor with their identification card and fill out a flu vaccine questionnaire to get the vaccine.

"Seasonal flu poses a very real threat to mission effectiveness and Team Dover's health. Vaccination, combined with good personal hygiene, is effective in preventing the flu," said Lt. Col. James Cowan, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health flight commander.

Dover's active-duty Airmen were required to stay on top of their mandatory flu vaccination by attending flu vaccination days Oct. 21, 22 and 23 at the clinic.

"Our walk-in vaccination days helped ensure our Airmen's health is taken care of so it doesn't hinder their operation readiness to accomplish the mission," said Staff Sgt. Dari Moore, 436th AMDS NCO in-charge of the Immunizations Clinic.

Many active-duty members received the FluMist, a nasal mist delivered into the nose and specified for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A and B viruses, said Sergeant Moore.

"The FluMist protects against being infected with flu virus better because it's more effective and it has a longer efficacy than the flu shot," said Sergeant Moore. "The FluMist lasts longer to defend the body from attacks during the flu season from December to March, where as the flu shot only lasts up to four months."

The walk-in vaccination days also allowed Airmen to keep their own medical readiness records up to date.

"Flu vaccination day has also allowed us to identify other mandatory requirements for immunizations," said Sergeant Moore. "Though we've already offered the flu vaccine, it's not too late for Airmen to receive their FluMist."

For more information, call the Immunization Clinic at 677-2478.