McConnell begins seasonal flu vaccinations

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Currier
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell recently received a shipment of seasonal flu vaccinations and will begin administering them to active-duty servicemembers Oct. 23, 2009, during a mass inoculation in buildings 1090 and 1169 from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Servicemembers are required to get the vaccine. All available McConnell military personnel must receive the vaccine during the mass inoculation, per Col. James Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander.

"The sooner we can administer the vaccine to all military personnel, the sooner we can start giving the vaccine to family members," said Maj. Bonnie Stevenson, 22nd Medical Operation Squadron Medical Services Flight commander. "It's in everybody's best interest to get the vaccine as soon as possible."

Starting Oct. 26, 2009, the base immunization clinic will offer the flu mist to eligible government civilians, family members and retirees ages 2 to 49. Flu shots are not yet available for non-military Team McConnell members.

"We borrowed some flu shots for the mass inoculation for military members who can't take the mist such as pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems," said Staff Sgt. Dallas Swalla, noncommissioned officer in charge of the McConnell Immunization Clinic. "However, we haven't received a shipment of the shots yet, and until we get them in, we can only vaccinate non-military members eligible with the mist."

Center for Disease Control and Prevention officials recommend pregnant women, people providing childcare to infants younger than 6 months, healthcare providers and first responders place high-priority on receiving vaccinations.

The wing is expecting a shipment of H1N1 vaccinations in mid- to late-November and will administer those much like the seasonal flu vaccines, Major Stevenson said.

The McConnell Immunization Clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call the immunization clinic at 759-5054.