H1N1 shots available at medical center

Published Jan. 13, 2010
By 81sr Medical Group and Keesler News staff

KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- Keesler Medical Center's immunization clinic has an adequate Department of Defense vaccine supply to vaccinate all active-duty military. A limited number of doses are also available for high-risk civilian patients.

Officials stress that active-duty military are required to receive both the seasonal and H1N1 immunizations.

According to Maj. (Dr.) Jessica Cowden, chief of pediatric infectious diseases with the 81st Medical Operations Squadron, immunizations are encouraged for household members residing with children under 6 months of age, expectant women, children and adults 6 months to 24 years, adults 25-64 years with a chronic medical condition (including immune problems, lung disease such as asthma or COPD, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, neuromuscular and neurologic diseases, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, and chronic liver disease), and health-care and emergency medical services personnel.

Major Cowden also said children under 10 years need a second dose (booster) at least four weeks after the first dose.

Since Aug. 7, there have been a total of 23 influenza-associated deaths in Mississippi, the major noted.

"According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, visits to the doctor for influenza-like illness have continued to fall over the past weeks," Major Cowden said. "However, hospitalizations and deaths attributed to influenza continue, and nearly all influenza circulating continues to be H1N1.

"Despite the fact that numbers of people with influenza-like illness have fallen in our region, H1N1 is not yet gone," she continued. "We typically see a peak in number of people with influenza in January and February, with cases continuing into the spring. We don't know for certain if we will see another peak of H1N1 this year, if another strain will peak instead or if we won't have another peak at all.

"It's still very important for people to get vaccinated against both H1N1 and 'seasonal' influenza," the major emphasized.

Eligible beneficiaries are encouraged to obtain the H1N1 vaccination at Keesler Medical Center or any local health department. To find out more information about Tricare beneficiaries being able to receive H1N1 vaccines with no out-of-pocket expense at retail pharmacies.