Influenza Vaccination and Prevention Measures

1.  THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF INFLUENZA (FLU) VACCINE
THIS SEASON.  EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO ENSURE THAT AVAILABLE VACCINE
GETS TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST, WITH PRIORITY GOING TO THE OPERATING
FORCES, ESPECIALLY THOSE DEPLOYED OR DEPLOYING IN SUPPORT OF THE
GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR.  
2.  FLU VACCINE SUPPLIES ARE BEING MANAGED AND SENT FIRST TO
DEPLOYED FORCES, THOSE ABOUT TO DEPLOY, OR THOSE IN AN ALERT STATUS.
FAMILY MEMBERS AND RETIREES WHO HAVE MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT PUT
THEM AT HIGH RISK ARE ALSO RECEIVING THE FIRST DOSES OF THE VACCINE.
IN TIME AND AS MORE VACCINE IS DELIVERED, ADDITIONAL GROUPS WILL BE
IMMUNIZED.  
3.  FLU IS A DISEASE THAT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADE UNIT READINESS.
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR, THERE ARE
SEVERAL STEPS THAT CAN PROTECT YOU AND OTHERS:
A.  WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY - AT LEAST 5 TIMES A DAY.  THIS
ACTION HAS PROVEN TO CUT DOWN ON THE SPREAD OF FLU AND MANY OTHER
DISEASES.  IF SOAP AND WATER ARE NOT AVAILABLE, HAND SANITIZERS
PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE AND ADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE.  
B.  COVER YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH WHEN COUGHING OR SNEEZING.  
C.  IF ILL, AVOID COMING INTO CLOSE CONTACT WITH OTHERS THROUGH WORK
OR SOCIAL CONTACT.  
4.  FLU IS GENERALLY A MILD, SELF LIMITED DISEASE FOR THOSE WHO
MAINTAIN THEIR HEALTH AND AN OVERALL HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.  TREAT FLU
SYMPTOMS WITH FLUIDS, REST, AND MILD ANALGESICS.  IF SYMPTOMS
PROGRESS AND/OR DO NOT SUBSIDE WITHIN 5-7 DAYS, CONTACT YOUR PRIMARY
CARE PROVIDER.
5.  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, MARINES, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, AND
FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER OR LOCAL
MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY.