CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
No one enjoys getting the flu, especially the H1N1 virus.
While the 437th Medical Group has not received any of the H1N1 vaccine for the base's active duty population, beneficiaries falling into the high risk categories are able to get vaccinated.
"We've given hundreds of doses already to military dependents using vaccines provided by the South Carolina Health Department," said Lt. Col. Karen Brooks, 437th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Public Health Flight commander.
H1N1 vaccines for beneficiaries are being provided by the State Health department and the base is receiving only 200 doses each week, said Colonel Brooks.
She also noted, since administering the vaccination, the 437th Medical Group has received few if any complaints and those receiving the vaccination have not reported any significant side effects.
The CDC says the most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given.
During a recent online town-hall meeting hosted by Military Health System officials, Navy Lt. Cmd. (Dr.) Tom Shimabukro, the pandemic influenza vaccine coordinator for the immunization services division of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases offered assurance that the H1N1 vaccine is safe and contains no squalene, which is a substance found in some vaccines, and has been the subject of some controversy, with some opponents claiming a link between the substance and Gulf War Syndrome.
"The H1N1 vaccines were licensed as a strain change to an existing biologic license application with the [Food and Drug Administration]," he said. "There was no fast track or waiver provided to the vaccine manufactures, and the vaccine is not experimental. The H1N1 vaccines are licensed flu vaccines, and [people should] expect them to have a safety profile similar to regular flu vaccines."
With no delivery date set for the H1N1 vaccination for active-duty members at Charleston AFB, it will be mandatory once received.
"The vaccine will be distributed world wide using the same distribution system as the seasonal flu vaccine, which means it will be sent to the war zones first and the Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Air Forces in Europe, etc.," said Colonel Brooks. "Since we will be receiving the vaccine incrementally, we plan to vaccinate the high risk active duty groups first. Eventually we will vaccinate the entire active duty population."
The Centers for Disease Control have identified groups they consider at a high risk of developing severe illness if they contract the flu: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel and people between six months and 24 years of age, then those between 25 and 64.
"Right now the only H1N1 vaccines we have on hand are an injectable for children ages 6 to 35 months and a nasal mist that can be used in healthy dependents and retirees ages 2 to 49 years," said Colonel Brooks. "The vaccine is given on a first-come, first-served basis and is in limited supply. The Department of Defense has mandated that, with a few exceptions, active-duty members and DOD civilians will have to wait until the DoD vaccine supply comes in to get their H1N1 vaccinations. Hopefully it will be here sooner rather than later."
Since the initial outbreak of the virus in April, Charleston AFB has had 21 confirmed cases of H1N1.
"All cases were mild and the patients quickly recovered," said Colonel Brooks.
While waiting for the vaccinations, the CDC offers ways to protect against both the flu and H1N1 viruses.
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If experiencing flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
· Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
The CDC also provides tips on how to stop the spreading of germs.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
· If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
· Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
· Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing
· Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
As soon as the 437 MG receives the vaccine, the Charleston AFB population will be notified through a Direct Messenger notification e-mail.
For more information about the H1N1 virus visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.
John Kruzel and Samantha Quigley with the American Forces Press Serivce contributed to this article.