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Flu vaccines are in good supply this year at military installations throughout the Pacific and the world, according to Col. Ronald Smith, the command surgeon of U.S. 8th Army in Seoul.

The vaccines, an annual inoculation recommended each fall, include a mix of flu strains anticipated to flare up in the next few months, including the H1N1 strain also known as the swine flu. That means patients will only need one dose — a shot or nasal spray — this year. Last year, two vaccines were issued to give people additional protection against the H1N1 strain.

To receive the vaccine in South Korea, active-duty servicemembers, dependents and civilian employees must visit the health care clinic on their base. No appointment is required. Call the clinic for information.

Following is vaccination information for U.S. military bases in Japan and Okinawa:

JAPAN

Yokota Air Base — Active-duty servicemembers and dependents can visit the hospital immunization clinic Oct. 12-15 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Servicemembers also can walk in during clinic hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information call 225-9494.

Camp Zama — Active-duty military and dependents in the base health clinic system may receive vaccinations there during flu season on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8-11:15 a.m. and 1-3:45 p.m., and Thursdays at 1-2:45 p.m. For more information call 263-4028.

Camp Fuji — Servicemembers can visit the health clinic on a walk-in basis from now until the end of the month. Vaccinations are available Monday through Friday at 1-4 p.m. For more information call 224-8338.

Naval Air Station Atsugi — The flu clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cinema 77 Oct. 13 and 15. It will remain open until 5 p.m. on Oct. 14.

Sasebo Naval Base — The base has completed flu immunizations but personnel still needing vaccinations can visit the base clinic during normal business hours.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni — The base has not yet scheduled immunizations for non-active-duty residents, the Navy said.

Misawa Air Base — Vaccinations are currently available only for active-duty personnel, high-risk patients who have been contacted via mail, and children up to age 3 who have never received a flu immunization. Vaccinations will be made available to the rest of the community when additional shipments are received at a date yet to be determined, officials said. The immunization clinic is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a 9:30 a.m. opening time on the second Thursday of each month. Call 226-6192 for more information.

Yokosuka Naval Base — Nasal spray and flu shots will be offered at the following locations: Ikego Elementary School multi-purpose room, Oct. 12, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Negishi movie theater, Oct. 13, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Yokosuka’s Kinnick High School cafeteria, Oct. 14 and Oct. 15, from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 243-9840.

OKINAWA

Camp Lester — The immunization clinic at the island’s U.S. Naval Hospital is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Appointments are available by calling 643-7441.

Camp Courtney — Flu vaccine hours are Monday through Friday 8-11 a.m. and 1- 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Camp Kinser — Flu vaccine hours are Monday through Friday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 637-4995.

Kadena Air Base — The base immunizations clinic will offer flu shots for active-duty personnel, dependents, retirees and SOFA-status civilians on Mondays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the immunizations clinic at 630-4415.

From staff reports

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