Ramstein administering H1N1 vaccine

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine has arrived and the 86th Medical Group began administering the vaccines to Tier I, Ramstein servicemembers and dependents.

The vaccine, which arrived at Ramstein last week, is being administered Nov. 17, 18, 19 and 23 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to healthcare workers, deploying servicemembers, the active-duty population and high-risk individuals. First sergeants will be distributing specific dates and time for active-duty members.

Setting up a deployment line like processing system in the South Side Gym Annex, 86th MDG personnel are administering the vaccine to as many Ramstein members as possible using the Food and Drug Administration's tier system.

"The deployment line style processing system we set up here is the result of planning to create central processing center where we can handle giving immunizations for both the seasonal and H1N1 flu virus. We have already seen more than 600 Tier I patents," said Staff Sgt. Amanda Will, 86th MDG technician. "We are hoping to administer the vaccine to more than eight thousand Tier I members this week."

Who is defined as high risk?

Anyone who is pregnant, or suffers from blood disorders , chronic pulmonary conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular conditions except for hypertension renal, cognitive, hepatic, neurologic and neuromuscular condition, metabolic disorders and immune-compromising conditions like cancer or HIV.

All others who do not fit into the Tier I category are asked to remain watchful for the release dates, times and locations that the H1N1 vaccine will be available.

"Our goal is to get the H1N1 vaccine out to everyone as soon as possible. As soon as the immunization becomes available for Tier II members, we will be advertising it to the base populace for distribution," said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Decker, 86th MDG chief nurse.

Until Tier II personnel receive their H1N1 vaccination they are reminded the best way to avoid contracting the virus is covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing to limit the spread of germs. Avoid contact with individuals who are sick and practice good personal hygiene like frequent hand washing and staying informed by visiting www.cdc.org.

If you have cold and influenza-like symptoms, communicate with your work supervisor and stay home to avoid contact with others. This may include coordinating friends and family to drop off food and supplies to limit public exposure.

If caring for or housing individuals who are sick, wear disposable gloves when handling trash or dirty linens, frequently empty the trash, keep windows open to ensure good ventilation, wipe down surfaces frequently with a household disinfectant, use disposable items whenever possible (paper towels, cleaning wipes), clean utensils and personal items separately with soap and water and avoid "hugging" laundry and other used items to prevent contaminating yourself.

If close contact (within 6 feet) is unavoidable, consider wearing a facemask, if available and tolerable. Facemasks can be purchased at hardware, home supply and pharmacy stores. Monitor such individuals for influenza complications by communicating with them often. From a prevention standpoint, a phone call is safer than a visit. Those at high risk for influenza-associated complications should not be the designated caretaker, if possible.

If you think you may have been exposed to someone with H1N1, call your healthcare provider at 479-2273. For those who have flu-like symptoms or are positive with H1N1 and have persisting symptoms, call your healthcare provider for further advice. As with any respiratory infection, symptomatic people are expected to wear a facemask in medical facilities to prevent spreading the infection to others.

Facemasks are available in all KMC clinics for use during clinic visits. For more information or for regular updates, visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.