A Soldier receives his annual influenza vaccine. File photo courtesy of the Dept. of Defense.
National Guard Prepares for Flu Season By Tech. Sgt. John Orrell, National Guard Bureau the Military Vaccine Agency is ARLINGTON, Va. - With the flu expected to start deliveries to the season approaching quickly, the states by October. Army and Air National Guard Air National Guard units are have released guidance for their scheduled to receive their doses of 2010-2011 vaccination camthe flu vaccine by October, said Air paigns and will start shipping Force Maj. James Coker, the chief vaccinations to the states for of the Air Surgeon’s Public Health immediate distribution, Guard and Prevention branch. officials said Sept. 7. “It is highly encouraged for Maj. Gunnar D. Kiersey, a medical readiness officer with the Army Guard members to receive their vaccination in a timely manner to Guard chief surgeon’s office, said
protect them from influenza during the peak months of influenza activity, which is generally December through March in the U.S.,” said Coker. “Personnel who receive the influenza vaccination begin to develop antibodies sufficient to protect them from influenza infection within two weeks of vaccination. This protection will generally last six to nine months and sometimes longer.”
Kiersey said Soldiers, who get their shots early, will protect themselves and their families from the influenza virus. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against H1N1, and two other influenza viruses: an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus, Kiersey said. For more on influenza and vaccines used by the Department of Defense, go to www.flu.gov.
Driving While Distracted or Drowsy: A Recipe For Disaster With the recent introduction of Apple’s iPhone, it is prudent to revisit the subject of driving while distracted or drowsy, as noted by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2002: While much focus has been placed in recent years on alcohol-related driving and speeding, less focus has been paid to other forms of potentially unsafe driving behaviors that draw drivers’ attention away from the primary task of driving such as distracted and drowsy driving. Fall 2010
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