Flu vaccinations available in the KMC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jourdan A. Barrons
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 86th Medical Group, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, and Kleber and Baumholder clinics are scheduled to host a series of flu vaccination events throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community starting Oct. 9, 2018.

Flu vaccines will be offered to service members, Department of Defense civilians, retirees and their family members. DoD civilians and their families should not have any out of pocket costs; however, their health insurance companies will be billed directly, so they should bring a copy of a current health insurance card.

In addition, local national employees will also be eligible for the vaccine at no cost.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine.

According to Capt. Patricia Baker, 86th Medical Group public health officer, the influenza virus spreads easily, particularly in groups and crowded areas.

“Since the flu virus is shifting from season to season, it is imperative that service members and their families receive the vaccine each year in order to give themselves the best chance at preparing their immune system to fight off this virus,” said Baker.

The flu vaccine is developed by analyzing previous years’ virus samples from military and civilian hospitals around the world.

“This is why it can be frustrating if you received the flu shot one season, but still got the flu that year,” Baker explained. “The vaccine will never be 100 percent effective at preparing your immune system, but not getting your vaccine will never better your chances of fighting off the flu should you become exposed and infected.”

Flu symptoms include high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Symptoms can be treated at home, but medical care should be sought when difficulty breathing not related to stuffy nose, ear pain, persistent fever, or wheezing last longer than 10 days.

Due to potential shipment delays caused by Hurricane Florence, scheduled event dates could change depending on when the vaccine arrives in Germany. Changes to scheduled events will be shared on the official social media pages for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Kleber Health Clinic, Baumholder Health Clinic, and Ramstein’s 86th Medical Group.

For more information on the flu vaccine, patients should speak with their primary care manager.