MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Force medical officials are encouraging Airmen, their families and all beneficiaries to raise their personal awareness of immunization health during National Immunization Awareness Month in August.
Due to the back-to-school season, August is also the busiest month for Airmen assigned to the 6th Medical Operations Squadron (MDOS) immunizations clinic at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
MacDill immunization technicians administer approximately 2,500 vaccines during the month of August, in addition to seeing an average 1,500 patients a month and administering an estimated 1,750 vaccinations a month.
“Vaccinations are incredibly important to both children and adults,” explained Tech. Sgt. Kimburly Davis, NCO in charge of immunizations assigned to 6th MDOS. “Vaccinations help protect us from serious illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The Immunization clinic currently has two Airmen assigned to the clinic. So in order to effectively take care of the high influx of patients, there are other medics and reservists who rotate in the clinic on a monthly basis to assist.
“We not only service the 6th Air Mobility Wing, but also U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Joint Communications Support Element, along with the other 38 other tenant units on base,” explained Staff Sgt. Arquilla Price, immunizations technician assigned to 6th MDOS. “Our members travel to almost every country in the world, and have to be deployment ready. Some countries do not allow members if certain vaccines are not given prior to entry.”
It is important for Airmen, their families and all beneficiaries to be aware of the various vaccines offered to prevent diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox and whooping cough. These diseases continue to affect children, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths every year.
Fortunately, vaccinations have significantly aided the decline of several infectious diseases in the United States. All vaccines undergo long and meticulous reviews by scientists, doctors, and the federal government to ensure safety and effectiveness.
“We have an incredible impact on the overall mission of Rapid Global Mobility because it is our responsibility to ensure awareness and readiness at all times,” Davis said. “We work diligently to provide you with the proper healthcare needed to complete the mission from anywhere at any time.”
For more information, please contact the immunizations clinic at (813) 827-9377.