Flu shots at Edwards to be available for servicemembers and families, civilian workers

  • Published
  • By Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  This year, flu vaccine will be made available to the civilian workforce in addition to active-duty personnel and their family members for both Edwards AFB and Air Force Materiel Command.

Given the negative impact of the flu on workforce health and workplace productivity, AFMC Commander Gen. Donald Hoffman approved the purchase of vaccine for use in immunizing the command's civilian workforce during the 2011-2012 influenza season.

"Certainly this makes sense in terms of productivity lost to sick days," said AFMC Executive Director Dr. Steve Butler. "But it's also our goal to provide flu prevention to our many civilians serving alongside our military personnel. Rather than offer the vaccine to civilians 'if there's any left,' we wanted it to be available to them early in the flu season."

As the initial year for the AFMC Civilian Workforce Influenza Vaccine Program, line funds have been allocated to purchase a predetermined quantity of flu vaccine. Therefore, the vaccine program will be run on a first-come, first-served basis for the civilian workforce.

In keeping with Hoffman's intent, medical treatment facilities within AFMC are making arrangements to offer civilian workers their flu vaccine in parallel with military members.

At Edwards, the flu vaccine will be available to active duty military and civilian workers from the 95th Medical Group at the clinic. People can drop by Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The medical group is working on times when military dependents may come in for the vaccine.

While vaccination is optional for civilians and military dependents, it is mandatory for active-duty personnel.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. In the United States, flu activity typically peaks in January or February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting people against this serious disease. However, some people - such as adults 65 years of age and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health conditions - are at high risk for serious flu complications, so vaccination is especially important for them. The protection provided by the vaccine will last throughout the flu season.

The following tips will also help people stay healthy:
  • Avoid close contact with those who are ill
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Wash your hands often
  • Practice other good health habits - get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of fluids