Richmond, Va. –
Defense Logistics Agency Installation Support at Richmond, Virginia, Fire and Emergency Services will provide flu shots to active duty military, and civilian government employees with a valid DoD identification card beginning Oct. 26 in the Lott’s Conference Center from 8 a.m. to noon. Other scheduled dates are Oct. 27 and Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to noon. The flu shot clinics will be located on the south side of the Lotts Center near the main entrance. There is limited access to the Lotts Center due to construction. Employees can enter on the South side of Building 32 or from the East end of Building 31.
According to the Center for Disease Control, influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October in the United States, but statistically ‘flu’ activity peaks in January or later, so now is the ideal time to get a flu shot.
Seasonal flu can be serious. On its website, the CDC states, “Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.”
The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
• fever or feeling feverish/chills;
• cough;
• sore throat;
• runny or stuffy nose;
• muscle or body aches;
• headaches;
• fatigue (very tired); and
• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than in
adults.
It is important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever.
There are precautions to take to prevent the spread of flu. In additional to getting vaccinated, hand washing and covering one’s mouth when coughing or sneezing are also preventive measures.