Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville is now providing injectable influenza (flu) vaccine to service members, retirees and families.

The vaccine is recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for everyone six months of age and older, and is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. It's also a requirement for active duty military personnel, selected reserves and health care workers.

Only the injectable vaccine is available at this time. It is effective for all patients and the only option for people 50 year of age and older, pregnant women (protecting mom during pregnancy and baby for up to six months after birth) and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or emphysema. Arrival of the nasal spray vaccine is anticipated at the end of November.

To receive injectable flu vaccine, patients enrolled at the hospital can walk in to Immunizations Clinic on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m.; or Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

Active duty not assigned to the hospital will receive the flu vaccine at command-wide vaccinations upon arrival of supplies. For information on tenant command vaccinations, call Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Jacksonville's Preventive Medicine department at 904-546-7027.

Vaccinations for children and staff at Naval Air Station Jacksonville's Child Development Center will be conducted Nov. 2, 5 and 9, 3-6 p.m.; and Nov. 12, 6-8:30 a.m.

For additional information about flu vaccine, contact Immunizations Clinic at 904-542-7810, or NBHC Jacksonville's Preventive Medicine department.

NH Jacksonville's priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. The command is comprised of the Navy's third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. There are about 84,000 active and retired sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, guardsmen and their families enrolled with a primary care manager and Medical Home Port team at one of its facilities.

To find out more or download NH Jacksonville's mobile app, visit the command website at www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax

For more news from Naval Hospital Jacksonville, visit www.navy.mil/.