Flu vaccine available for eligible personnel

  • Published
  • By Steve Pivnick
  • 81st Medical Group Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 81st Medical Operations Squadron Immunizations Clinic has received almost all influenza doses for the Keesler community and is providing the vaccine to eligible persons.

"The clinic is open to all active-duty, dependents, retirees and Department of Defense employees," said Maj. (Dr.) Tyson Brown, chief of the 81st MDOS Allergy/Immunology and Immunizations Clinics. "The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older."

He added, "People in certain populations and with certain medical conditions are
strongly advised to get the influenza vaccine every year because the influenza virus may be especially harmful to them. These populations and medical conditions include: infants and toddlers, the elderly, pregnant women, those with lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease or a poorly-functioning immune system."

Brown stressed this list is not all inclusive.

"If a person has questions about the influenza vaccine or how it relates to their condition, they may ask their doctor or stop by our Immunizations Clinic for further information."

The clinic is walk-in only on a first-come, first-served basis.

Clinic hours are: Monday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed every second Thursday at 11:30 a.m. for training); and Friday, 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.