SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- With flu season approaching fast, Spangdahlem Air Base is staying prepared with influenza vaccinations for military members Oct. 28-30, 2020 and 100 percent participation is required.
Influenza, or “the flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza viruses. Symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year.
In general, flu season begins each year in October and tapers off around May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people.
In particular, infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of flu complications. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seasonal influenza vaccine for all people 6 months of age and older.
Each year thousands of people in the United States die from the flu, and many more are hospitalized. The CDC estimates that influenza results in 9.3 to 49 million illnesses, 140,000 to 960,000 hospitalizations, and 12,000 to 79,000 deaths annually. Flu vaccinations prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related visits to the doctor each year.
There are assigned times for each base squadron to receive vaccinations, so active duty members are recommended not to wait until the last minute to get a slot.
Additional information for dependent flu vaccinations will be released at a later date.
For more information on influenza vaccinations ask your healthcare provider, call your local or state health department, call the CDC at 800-232-4636 or visit their website at www.cdc.gov/flu.