Robins gets flu mist shipment Published Oct. 3, 2008 By Holly Birchfield 78 ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- As the flu season begins, Robins' Allergy and Immunization Clinic is getting armed with vaccinations to help people fight off the flu virus. Robins recently received 3,000 flu mist doses and is expecting 5,000 doses of the flu shot to arrive in the near future. Master Sgt. Jack Jenkins, NCO in charge of the Allergy and Immunization Clinic in the 78th Medical Operations Squadron, said the clinic's number one focus is to vaccinate all active-duty military members at Robins. "Right now, the flu mist is available for all active-duty military members and our beneficiaries," he said. Sergeant Jenkins said the flu mist is a live vaccine administered through the nasal passage and is recommended only for people ages 2 to 49 years who are healthy with no chronic health conditions, like asthma and diabetes. Staff Sgt. Charles Finklea, a medical technician in the 78th MDOS, said if a person has received a live vaccination, such as for small pox, measles, mumps or rubella, they must wait another 30 days before receiving the flu mist unless they receive the flu mist the same day as the previous live vaccination. The injectible flu shot is not a live virus, Sergeant Jenkins said. Pregnant women and anyone with chronic health problems should talk with their primary healthcare provider before receiving the flu vaccine, Sergeant Jenkins said. Pat Tooley, lead health specialist in the Public Health Flight in the 78th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, said while both flu vaccine forms are effective, military members are given the mist each year to ward off the virus. "DOD is usually given a flu mist for the Flu Vaccine Program," she said. "The injectible, which is the shot, is mainly for the high-risk beneficiary and personnel who are 50 and older." Ms. Tooley said the clinic serves high-risk beneficiaries first before vaccinating those who are healthy. The clinic doesn't provide DOD civilians with the flu vaccine unless there is a surplus at the clinic, Ms. Tooley said. She recommends people get vaccinated through their healthcare provider or other community health resources. Ms. Tooley said the Houston County Health Department began its flu vaccine clinics, offering flu shots and mist, on Oct. 1. Flu season typically runs from October to March. The health department charges $25 for the flu shot and $35 for the flu mist, Ms. Tooley said. In addition to getting the vaccine, Staff Sgt. Kenena Johnson, a medical technician and NCOIC of women's health in the 78th MDOS, said practicing frequent, good hand washing is also a good measure to take to ward off the flu. Sergeant Jenkins said people can take simple steps to protect themselves as well as others from the flu. "If you suspect someone has the flu, avoid contact with that person," he said. "If you cough or sneeze, do it into your elbow instead of the hands so that you don't come into direct contact with folks that aren't infected."