Seasonal flu vaccinations available for Tricare members

Tripler Army Medical Center
News Release

HONOLULU — Seasonal flu vaccinations for all Tricare-enrolled beneficiaries in Hawaii are now available.

“Each year in the U.S., approximately 25 million cases of influenza get reported,” said Lance Golder, analyst, Military Vaccine Agency. “These cases result in about 150,000 hospitalizations due to serious complications, and more than 30,000 people die from influenza annually in the U.S. alone.

“The seasonal influenza vaccine is one of the most beneficial tools in modern medicine for reducing sicknesses, deaths, health care costs and conserving fighting strength,” he added.

The Joint Vaccination Team coordinates multiple dates, times and locations to ensure vaccines are available, to include locations on Oahu military medical treatment facilities, installation exchanges and area schools.

“The influenza vaccine is particularly important for everyone living in Hawaii because we see influenza cases all year around,” Golder explained. “It is important to remember that Hawaii is a gateway to the world. We have travelers arriving from both hemispheres where their peak influenza season may be in full bloom.”

Three types of vaccines will be used in Hawaii this year. The first is FluZone, an inactivated single-dose syringe vaccine available for both adult and pediatric doses for patients 6 months and older.

The second is Alfuria, an inactivated dose that comes in single-dose syringe and multi-dose vials for patients 9 years and older.

The third is FluMist, a live single-dose intranasal vaccine, available for patients between 2-49 years old.

Older beneficiaries should be aware that military clinics will not have the intradermal vaccination or the high-dose influenza vaccination for seniors (over 65 years of age).

In addition to the vaccine, everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Some of the everyday steps you can take to protect your health include these: covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth because germs spread this way; and trying to avoid close contact with sick people.

Beneficiaries are reminded to bring their military identification cards and immunization records for their vaccinations. More details are available from primary care providers; the Oahu Joint Services Flu Hotline at (808) 433-1FLU (1358); or the “Fight the Flu” web link.

Vaccinations Schedule
Vaccinations will be available to all  Tricare beneficiaries at island exchanges:

• Oct. 4 and 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Pearl NEX
• Oct. 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Schofield PX
• Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Kaneohe Bay MCX
• Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Fort Shafter PX
• Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Hickam BX

Fight the Flu
For more information on flu services available to Tricare beneficiaries on Oahu visit www.tamc.amedd.army.mil/flu.

Hawaii School Flu Vaccination Dates

• Mokapu Elementary Oct.
  16, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Barbers Point Elementary
  Oct. 19, 8-11 a.m.

• Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary
  Oct. 26, 8-11 a.m.
• Kailua Intermediate
  Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-noon

• Solomon Elementary
  Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Hickam Elementary
  Nov. 8, 8:30-11:45 a.m.

• Moanalua Middle
  Nov. 9, 8:15-11:15 a.m.

• Wheeler Elementary
  Nov. 14, 8:15-11 a.m.

• Iroquois Elementary
  Nov. 15, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

• Mokulele Elementary
  Nov. 15, 8:15-11:15 a.m.

• Shafter Elementary
  Nov. 16, 8-11 a.m.

• Hale Kula Elementary
  Nov. 27, 8 a.m.-noon

• Navy Hale Keiki School
  Nov. 29, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Tags: health, Tricare, Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC)

Category: Community, Health