CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — The first round of flu vaccines has made its way up the noses of the military community.
The FluMist inhalable vaccine has become the method of choice at South Korea base medical facilities and schools, although shots are still available, officials said.
Military health care workers will administer the vaccine to all military personnel and affiliated civilians who ask for it. So far, business has been brisk.
"We’re pretty much ahead of schedule," said Lt. Col. Jason Pike of the 18th Medical Command. "Our goal is to get everyone vaccinated."
Health care workers have been vaccinating people at locations outside of medical facilities during the past two weeks.
On Saturday, they immunized more than 1,000 people at Yongsan Garrison’s fall festival and provided health screenings for military retirees.
At least two more free immunization sessions are available for children, including the Camp Walker Wood Clinic on Oct. 25 and the Seoul American Elementary School gym on Nov. 7. Siblings and teachers also will receive vaccinations that day, along with parents if supplies are available.
Further information is available at all local base hospitals and medical clinics, medical officials said.
At Yongsan Garrison, the flu vaccine is also available at the 1st Replacement Company building.
Most of the United States wasn’t experiencing flu outbreaks as of Oct. 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, New York, Rhode Island and Wyoming have experienced sporadic cases.
Flu season typically peaks during the winter months but has been known to spread in May, according to the CDC.
There are many different strains of flu, and each year, researchers determine the three most likely to spread and incorporate them into the vaccine.
During well matched years, flu vaccines are between 70 percent and 90 percent effective and preventing illness, according to the CDC.
In an average year, 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized because of flu-related complications, according to the CDC.
South Korea Center for Disease Control officials said Tuesday that their latest figures showed 1.23 per 1,000 people caught the flu between Sept. 21 and Sept. 27, a lower figure than last year.
