Flu Season is upon us

Published Oct. 29, 2015
By Senior Airman Kristin High
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- It's that time of year again for sweaters, boots and scarves. With the fall winds blowing and winter fast approaching, it's also time for coughing, runny noses, sore throats and fevers.

It's flu season.

Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious virus that is spread every year, usually between October and May. The flu is passed along mainly by coughing, sneezing and close contact.

"The flu is a constant mutating virus that can be deadly for anyone," Staff Sgt. Greer Keith, 51st Medical Operations Squadron immunizations clinic NCO in-charge. "As healthy individuals, it's very important to get vaccinated."

Children ages 2 and below or adults ages 50 and above are particularly high risk during flu season.

Flu vaccinations are mandatory for all active duty members and general schedule civilian employees, but are highly recommended for everyone.

"Service members who catch the flu tend to be or on quarters for up to two weeks," said Keith. "On Osan, we have a very high operations tempo, and when one team member catches the flu, it can spread easily and cause work outages, which strongly affects the mission here. The flu vaccine helps prevent the spread.

"So far more than 4,300 active duty members have been vaccinated on Osan," she said. "We're at about 80 percent vaccinated for the base, minus in- and out-processing Airmen or those on midtour."

There are two types of vaccines: the traditional flu shot, which is a dead virus or the live flu vaccine, commonly known as the nasal mist.

According to the Center for Disease Control, anyone above the age of 6 months can receive the shot. The nasal mist is recommended for healthy people 2 through 49 years old.

Not everyone can be vaccinated. Some disqualifying factors for the flu shot include anyone who has severe allergies, especially to eggs, has had a bad reaction after a previous vaccine, and those who are moderately or severely ill.

Disqualifying factors for the mist include adults more than 50 years old; children 6 through 23 months old; children younger than 5 years old with asthma; pregnant women; people with long-term health problems to include heart disease, kidney or liver disease, lung disease, metabolic disease, asthma or anemia, anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders, and anyone with a weak immune system.

"People who have had fevers within the last 48 hours or taking prescriptions of anti-viral medication will not be able to receive the vaccine," said Keith.

The immunizations clinic is open Mondays through Fridays for vaccinations on a walk-in basis, however it is recommended to call in case of training or early closures.

For more information about immunizations, call 784-2523 or visit the CDC's website at www.cdc.gov.