Wright-Patterson Medical Center offers flu vaccinations

  • Published
  • By Capt. David Stuever
  • 88th Medical Group Public Health Operations Officer
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  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.

As a result, the Wright Patterson Medical Group will be offering influenza immunization clinics for all Active Duty members and all Department of Defense civilian employees on the following dates:

-- Monday, 12 Sept 2011, from 0800 - 1530 in Building 142 (Combat Readiness)

-- Friday 16 Sept from 0830 - 1500 in Bldg 642 (Kenney Hall, AFIT Campus)

-- Monday 19 Sept from 0830 - 1500 in Bldg 642 (Kenney Hall, AFIT Campus)

-- Flu vaccine will be available to AFMC headquarters staff -- active duty and civilian -- on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 0800 to 1200 in Building 266, Room TBD.

Active Duty members working on Wright-Patt MUST receive their immunizations at one of the mass vaccination clinics or at the base military treatment facility. Immunizations are administered in the Allergy & Immunization Clinic Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm. No appointment is necessary.

On a first-come, first-served basis, DoD Civilian employees who are not TRICARE beneficiaries may also receive their influenza immunization at the mass vaccination clinics on the dates above or at the Allergy & Immunization Clinic in the Medical Group main building, Bldg 830, (Area A) during their regular business hours. Vaccinations for this group are in limited supply.

Immunization Outreach for DoD Civilian Childcare Workers and Emergency Responders is being handled on an agency-by-agency basis through the Occupational Medicine Clinic. Walk-ins to the Occupational Medicine clinic,Bldg 675 (Area B) will be worked in-between scheduled patient care; short delays may be experienced.

A mass vaccination clinic for dependents and retirees will be held on September 30th at the Base Theater from 0830 - 1530.

Beginning October 3rd, the Medical Group's Immunization Clinic will offerflu immunizations to all beneficiaries on a walk-in basis. Alternatively, dependents and retirees may receive the flu vaccine at no cost from any TRICARE-authorized provider or at one of the network pharmaciesparticipating in the vaccination program. For more detailed TRICARE information and updates, visit www.tricare.mil/flu/flucoverage.aspx or call 1-877-874-2273.

For further information please call the installation Flu Hotline at (937) 904-3588.