Flu: 'Don't try to stick it out!'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Ninetieth Medical Group officials encourage people who have not received the influenza vaccination this season to get it to help prevent contracting the virus.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention press release, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against three or four influenza viruses and some of these viruses may circulate later in the season.

"[The CDC] make the vaccine work against several stains of the virus," said Lt. Col. Justin Tingey, 90th Medical Operations Squadron chief of aerospace medicine and public health emergency officer. "They kind of pick what they think is going to be in the virus and add it to the vaccine. This year the [flu] that's popping up, the vaccine doesn't really work that great against it in some cases, it's not as effective as we'd like it to be."

Even though the vaccine is not as effective against all flu strains, it still improves one's chances to not contract the illness.

One third of flus that are out there are covered by this vaccine, giving recipients an increase to their immune system's ability to fend off the flu, said Capt. David Kornack, 90th Medical Group infection preventionist.

Children, older people and those with health conditions are highly encouraged by the clinic to receive the vaccination and contact their provider if they experience flu-like symptoms.

Flu symptoms include but are not limited to: fever, or feeling feverish chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, or fatigue.

"Because the vaccine doesn't protect against all strains of the flu, the providers are recommended to treat patients early," Kornack said.

"You can contact your provider through MiCare and you get a response back very quickly," Tingey said. "Early treatment with anti-viral medicine is emphasized because the vaccine didn't really hit as well as we wanted it to. That's why within 24 hours is the best time to get medication."

For medical assistance, go to https://www.micare.va.gov or call 307-773-3461.