H1N1 flu vaccine arrives for military, high-risk individuals: Vaccine for non-high risk DoD employees, family members pending

Release Date: Nov 09, 2009

Europe Regional Medical Command Public Affairs

HEIDELBERG, Germany — H1N1 flu vaccine for uniformed service members arrived this weekend at the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center, Europe in Pirmasens, Germany. Army health clinics will begin vaccinations as soon as they receive supplies.

Distribution to large U.S. Military Treatment Facilities will begin Nov. 9. Vaccine is expected to arrive at smaller outlying clinics by Nov. 10.

Clinic commanders will use multiple means including unit and garrison chains of command and all available media - to announce community immunization schedules.

In addition to uniformed service members, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense has directed the vaccine also be offered to beneficiaries who have a medical condition that places them at a higher risk for influenza-related complications. Manufactured by Novartis, the vaccine is FDA-approved for ages 4 years and older.

High-risk beneficiaries who fall into one of the categories below should visit their clinic for their H1N1 vaccine. Non-uniformed beneficiaries will be screened prior to vaccination to verify medical conditions that place them in a higher risk status.

Higher risk medical conditions include:
- Pregnancy
- Blood disorders
- Chronic pulmonary, including asthma
- Cardiovascular, except for hypertension
- Renal, cognitive, hepatic, neurologic/neuromuscular conditions
- Metabolic disorders, including diabetes
- Immuno-suppression disorders, including those caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus

Additional H1N1 vaccine shipments will arrive in Europe in stages. Future vaccine shipments approved for non-uniformed beneficiaries including DoD employees, contractors and Family members - are expected in the near future. Manufactured by Sanofi-Pasteur, it is also FDA-approved for ages 6 months and over.

As vaccine availability increases, there will be an adequate supply available for all those wishing to be immunized.