Time to get your flu vaccine

Flu season is here again!

The influenza vaccine is now available at Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Port Hueneme and NBHC Point Mugu.

The first round of flu shots will be given at the Point Mugu Theater from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 9, and from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11. Look for additional announcements in The Lighthouse, on marquee signs on base and on flyers posted at the commissary and Navy Exchanges.

If you or your military family misses an event, ask your medical provider for the vaccine at your next appointment.

Here are some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

To permit time for production of protective antibody levels, the vaccination should optimally occur before the onset of influenza activity in the community, and providers should offer the vaccination as soon as the vaccine is available.

Although influenza vaccine strains for the 2012-13 season are unchanged from those of 2011-12, annual vaccination is recommended. Antibodies decline over the year, necessitating annual revaccination for optimal protection.

While everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated:

Pregnant women.

Children younger than 5 (very important for those under 2 years of age).

People 50 years of age and older.

People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including healthcare workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, and household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age, as these children are too young to be vaccinated.

For any questions or concerns please call the Preventive Medicine Division at 805-982-6358, the Occupational and Environmental Health Department at 805-982-6434 or the NBHC Port Hueneme at 805-982-6321.