Flu season

The JBER Hospital Allergy and Immunization Clinic will provide mass flu shot clinics for all Department of Defense ID card holders. Sept. 21 at Hangar 1 and Hangar 15 from 6 to 11 a.m., and on Sept. 27 at Hangar 1 from noon to 6 p.m.

“We are reaching out to the community by taking care of our active-duty personnel and family members,” said Senior Airman Colin Mullaly, 673d Medical Operations Squadron allergy and immunization technician. “We are also doing this because the [Surgeon General of the Air Force] directed that 90 percent of our active duty population be taken care of by 15th Dec. Not only are we hitting our numbers, we are also taking care of the whole base.”

Service members and their families – children age 3 and up – as well as retirees and civilian employees can receive the vaccine those days. The only limitation the medical personnel have at both hangars is they do not have printer access, so those who need a copy of their Vaccine Administration Record should come the Allergy and Immunization Clinic for a copy any time after that day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said getting an annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the risk of getting sick with the flu and spreading it to others. In Alaska, the high season for influenza is from December through May.

The CDC also mentioned individuals should not get the vaccine if they have a history of the Guillain-Barre syndrome or severe, life-threatening allergies.

JBER personnel and families who cannot make it to the mass flu shot clinics can get their vaccination at the Allergy and Immunization Clinic from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, located on the first floor of the JBER Hospital next to the Emergency Room.

The Allergy and Immunization Clinic is currently waiting for influenza vaccines for children under age 3. Family members should call the clinic to determine when it will become available.

For more information, contact the Allergy and Immunization Clinic at 580-2000.