Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center offers flu vaccination Published Sept. 25, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev., -- The 99th Medical Operations Squadron Immunization Clinic is preparing for the upcoming 2013-2014 flu season by offering vaccinations to all current and retired military members and their families at the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center while supplies last. "Here at the Mike O' Callaghan Medical Center we strive to ensure we keep as many people as possible healthy who interact with the base," said Staff Sgt. Greer Keith, 99th MDOS Immunizations Clinic NCO in charge. In order to accommodate all of the people looking to get their flu vaccination, Airmen from the 99th MDOS have set up an area across from the immunization clinic specifically for that purpose. The clinic hopes by doing this, it will be able to streamline the process and expedite the amount of time it takes patients to receive the vaccination. "Our patients health is our concern," said Senior Airman Frank Yuvan, 99th MDOS dermatology technician and flu mist application specialist. "This year, we are able to allocate an area to make it a one-stop shop for the flu vaccination with a considerably less amount of wait time." The vaccination is also available to all Government Service employees as well as eligible contractors on base. "Our civilian counterparts are also necessary to accomplish the Nellis and Creech AFBs mission," she added. "We aim to make each section on base as healthy as possible so they can continue to carry out the objectives necessary to continue to support our global mission." According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, flu season runs from September thru June of the following year and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu related symptoms each year. Knowing this, the 99th MDOS has encouraged individuals to get the vaccination as early as possible. "We encourage people not to wait," Yuvan said. "Any preventative measure we can take to decrease its epidemic is important." The CDC also warns that most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and within five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms and may still spread the virus to others. "The vaccination gives you the best chance to stay healthy," Keith said. Vaccinations are offered to everyone Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the 99th MDOS Immunizations Clinic at 653-1110.
