Officials urge flu shots as infections rise

[unhappycamper]

Officials urge flu shots as infections rise
By Mark St.Clair , Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, January 8, 2009

An increase in reported influenza cases has hit several European countries over the past few weeks, and Army medical officials are encouraging people to get a flu vaccination.

"Until now, Germany and surrounding countries have reported a sporadic number of influenza cases," Lt. Col. Paul Kennedy, chief of Preventive Medicine at the Heidelberg Health Center, said in a news release. "With more cases being reported, it’s essential you and your family are protected against the virus, especially if you’re traveling."

The vaccine is not mandatory, except for those in uniform. So far this flu season, close to 90 percent of U.S. Army Europe soldiers have been vaccinated, said Steve Davis, Europe Regional Medical Command public affairs.

Soldier vaccinations are tracked by an automated system. Not so for everyone else, making it difficult to see which military community members run higher risks of catching and/or spreading influenza.

Risks of respiratory infections, including influenza, are on the rise in Portugal, Spain, Northern Ireland and England, according to the Army’s Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine in Europe (CHPPM-E).


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59865

[SheilaT]

1. Oh yes, it's time for the annual DU debate

about flu shots or no flu shots.

Usually late in the fall we start getting the dire warnings posted about how this coming flu season is going to be the worst one ever, and everyone must get a flu shot. I haven't noticed those postings this year, but I don't check in quite regularly enough, so I may have missed them.