Naval Hospital Bremerton's (NHB) Preventive Medicine Department will hold the annual influenza vaccination clinic Oct. 25-30 for uniformed service members, eligible beneficiaries and Department of Defense civilians who have not been vaccinated this year.

The vaccinations will be administered at NHB's Health and Education Center on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, 2850 Thresher Ave, Oct. 25-28, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Oct. 29-30 from noon until 5 p.m.

According to Lt. Rohan Jairam, Preventive Medicine Department head, it's always important to get an annual flu shot.

"The single best way to protect yourself and your family against seasonal influenza is to get vaccinated each year," said Jairam. "People who get their annual flu shot can reduce flu illnesses, doctors visits, and missed work and school due to flu. Everyone ages six months and older should get their vaccine."

Annual seasonal influenza vaccinations are required for all active-duty military personnel, selected Reserves and health care workers. Navy Medicine's seasonal influenza vaccine immunization program is designed to protect Sailors and Marines, mission-essential health care personnel, and eligible beneficiaries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices states an annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone over six months of age who do not have adverse reactions. Children younger than six months are considered not old enough to receive a flu shot. A vaccination should occur before onset of influenza activity in the community. Health care providers should offer vaccination soon after vaccine becomes available and should be offered as long as influenza viruses are circulating.

"People who are immunocompromised like pregnant women, very young children, the elderly, and those receiving treatment that weaken the immune system should most definitely receive the vaccine; but really, the vaccine is for everyone," said Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Smith, Preventive Medicine technician and 2016-17 Influenza Campaign coordinator. "If you don't fall into one of those categories, chances are you are in regular contact with someone who does, and by choosing to vaccinate yourself you are protecting them and you."

Immunization is the primary method of reducing seasonal influenza illness and helps to lessen any associated complications by enhancing force immunity. The seasonal influenza vaccine helps protect vaccinated individuals, as well as protects entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of the disease.

"The vaccine prevents the spread of the flu virus," Smith said. "The more people who get vaccinated, the less chance there is of someone being infected and the less risk they have of spreading it to others who might not be able to get vaccinated."

Smith attests that along with getting the shot there are several other daily measures everyone can do to help prevent the spread of flu.

"Handwashing! Handwashing is essential in preventing not just the spread of flu, but of other diseases as well," explained Smith. "Also, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing by coughing into your elbow or shoulder."

NHB's Preventive Medicine team also advocates other multiple steps that can be done daily to mitigate the potential spread of the flu, such as always practicing good hygiene and managing workforce exposure -- social distancing, teleworking, sick leave, etc. -- as effective methods to reduce the risk of spreading influenza.

The CDC cites influenza is thought to spread mainly from people touching something with influenza viruses on it and then touching their mouths or noses.

One of the challenging aspects of flu is someone who becomes infected can infect others one day before they have symptoms, and up to five days after becoming sick.

Influenza usually causes mild to severe illness, and uncommonly can lead to death. Symptoms of influenza include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, chills, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea also can occur, but are more common in children than adults.

Traditionally, seasonal flu impacts the elderly and the young.
The vaccine will also be available in Naval Hospital Bremerton's Immunization Clinic after Oct. 30 on the second floor of the Family Care Center, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

More information may be obtained at the Flu Hotline, (360) 315-4469.

What can people do to protect themselves against the flu virus?
Naval Hospital Bremerton follows CDC recommendations to:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, when you are sick, and keep your distance from others to protect them from also getting sick.

* If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

* Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

General information of seasonal influenza can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Hospital Bremerton, visit http://www.navy.mil/.