USAFE vice commander receives flu shot
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Maj. Gen. Marc Rogers, U.S. Air Forces in Europe vice commander, receives a flu shot from Staff Sgt. Ericka Pinder, 435th Medical Special Operations Clinic. Immunization is the key to seasonal influenza epidemics that occur annually in the U.S. According to the Air Force 2008-2009 Influenza Immunization Program Guidance, estimates of influenza-related events include 95 million infections, 25 million physician visits, 200,000 hospitalizations, and 36,000 deaths annually in the United States. Air Force medical staff will administer influenza vaccines either through a shot or nasal mist spray, depending on established personal health or duty requirements, to all military members, and offer vaccines to eligible beneficiaries as appropriate. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Caleb Pierce)