Don't be sick during the holidays, get the flu shot

  • Published
  • 66th Medical Squadron
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Anyone can get sick from the flu, but an annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and the flu-related complications that could lead to hospitalization and even death.

Health experts across the country recommend that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. Since flu viruses are constantly changing and immunity can decline over time, annual vaccination is needed for optimal protection, even during years when the viruses the vaccine protects against remain the same as the previous season.

Where to get the flu shot
The Hanscom clinic continues to offer flu vaccine for all military, dependents and retirees. Children who have never received an influenza vaccination will also need to have two flu vaccines, one month apart. Other children who have received an influenza vaccination in previous years only need one vaccine this year.

The clinic is also offering, on a first come, first served basis, a seasonal flu vaccination to all Hanscom civilian employees. This includes GS, contractor and NAF employees. No appointment is necessary.

Immunization clinic hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with the following exceptions: on Tuesdays the clinic closes at 3 p.m. for squadron fitness and the first Friday of the month it closes at noon for readiness training.

Why get the flu shot?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, over the years the number of people recommended for flu vaccination grew steadily as experts learned more about who was at highest risk for flu complications or who was bearing the greatest burden of illness and possibly playing a role in spreading flu in the community.

Scientists and public health experts came to recognize that while influenza is particularly dangerous for certain people, it can cause severe illness and even death for anyone, regardless of whether or not they have high risk conditions.

The CDC says influenza is among the most common respiratory illnesses in the United States, infecting millions of people every flu season. Every year, flu spreads across the country, from person to person, family to family and community to community. The severity of flu illness can vary from mild to severe. When severe, flu complications can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu.

Studies going back to 1976 show that annual seasonal flu-related deaths in the United States have ranged from about 3,000 people to 49,000 people, according to the CDC. Each year it's estimated that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized because of flu-related complications. People with certain long-term health conditions are at greater risk of suffering from serious flu complications. Asthma, diabetes and chronic heart disease were the most common of these.

For more information about the flu vaccine, go online to www.cdc.gov/flu or www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).