Seasonal Flu and H1N1 update

While the number of influenza cases has been climbing across the country, Fort Gordon has so far avoided a large spike in influenzalike diseases thus far. Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center’s Department of Preventive Medicine monitors the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics daily for signs of infectious disease outbreaks or bio-warfare attacks. The ESSENCE system compares the number of health care visits for “influenza-like illness” made on Fort Gordon against the number of cases that would be expected on that day based on previous flu seasons.

“The good news for Fort Gordon is that prevention measures like hand-washing, covering coughs, staying home when ill, and barracks hygiene measures seem to be working, said Col. Edward Boland, MD, chief of Preventive Medicine. The continued emphasis on disease prevention is critical throughout the cold and flu season, even after we are able to start vaccinations against the H1N1 influenza.”

Due to difficulties with vaccine production, a delivery date for the H1N1 Vaccine is not certain. However, initial doses supplied from the Department of Defense for use by Active Duty Members, hospital workers, and emergency response personnel like police and firefighters, could arrive at any time. Fort Gordon commanders are aggressively planning to begin immunization of these target groups within hours of delivery of the vaccine. All units are reminded to update their Operations contact information with the Department of Preventive Medicine, (706) 787- 3547, if it has changed since the seasonal influenza vaccination conducted on September 23.

H1N1 vaccine for Department of the Army Civilians and contractors is authorized and will be conducted when enough vaccine is delivered from DOD.

“While vaccination against the H1N1 vaccine is mandatory for all Active Duty members, it is voluntary (but highly encouraged) for all civilian workers,” said Col. Boland.

H1N1 vaccine for family members and other beneficiaries is also anticipated to start arriving at Fort Gordon at anytime. This vaccine is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and will be delivered at Fort Gordon through an agreement between DDEAMC and the local Public Health Department. These vaccinations will be in both the injectable and nasal spray forms. Throughout the influenza season, it is anticipated that enough H1N1 vaccine will be delivered for vaccination of everyone who desires it. However, it is unlikely that all of these doses will be delivered at one time.

“Beneficiaries should expect that H1N1 vaccination will be prioritized to protect those people at highest risk from the disease first”, Col. Boland said. Currently, young children and pregnant women are considered to have the highest risk. Children over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated and those aged 6 months through 9 years, will require two vaccinations against H1N1 given at least 28 days apart.”

Vaccination against the seasonal influenza is on-going, with 600 doses of injectable vaccine available at the Fort Gordon Retiree Day, Oct. 24. DDEAMC’s Family Medicine Clinic will also be offering the seasonal flu shots to beneficiaries on Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

More seasonal vaccine is anticipated for delivery and information will be made available through The Signal, the Gates 1 and 5 marquees, and the Flu Hotline (706) 787-8075.