TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Flu season is right around the corner, and the Immunizations Clinic will receive vaccines to keep members of Team Tyndall flu free and mission ready. The Immunizations Clinic will inform everyone when the vaccine is available and where to go to get the shot.
The vaccine will be available to all active duty members first, then the Immunizations Clinic will inform civilians and dependents when the vaccine will be available to them.
“Individuals who can’t get the flu shot include children younger than 6 months and individuals with severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredient(s) in the vaccine,” said Senior Airman Ashley Peterson, a 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health technician. “Individuals should talk with their doctor before getting the flu shot if they have had a severe allergy to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine, have had Guillain-Barré syndrome or are not feeling well.”
To protect against the flu, people who are able should get the vaccine annually.
“The flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu virus because it reduces the risk of illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death in children, by creating antibodies that provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine,” Peterson said.
Along with getting the vaccine, there are several other ways to help stop the spread of the virus.
“People should be covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing their hands and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu,” Peterson said.
This is important because influenza viruses can travel to infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs.
“The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads mainly by tiny droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk, and these droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby,” said Tech. Sgt. Jamie Nazario, 325th AMDS NCO in charge of the community health element. “Another way to contract the flu is if a person touches a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touches their own mouth, nose or eyes.”
There are several indicators that someone may have the flu.
Peterson stated some of the symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
“Contact your healthcare provider if you have a respiratory illness with a fever of 100.5 F or higher, or have come in contact with someone with confirmed influenza and have developed similar symptoms,” Peterson said. “Seek immediate medical attention if you have difficulty breathing, signs of dehydration, confusion, chest pain or severe persistent vomiting.”
For more information about the flu vaccine call the 325th Medical Group at 850-283-2778. For more information about the flu visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html.