HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Flu season is just around the corner, and Utah’s largest single-site employer is encouraging employees to get immunized.

Hill Air Force Base is partnering with the Davis County Health Department to make it easier for the base’s civilian employees to receive the flu vaccine during a series of on-base clinics from October through November.

“Flu season generally begins in October and peaks around January, and getting the vaccination early is the key to prevention,” said Dr. Chris Kleinsmith, Hill’s Chief of Occupational Medicine Services. “The flu vaccine is highly effective, and covers most flu strains for the season. Getting it not only protects you from getting sick, but prevents you from spreading the flu to others, especially more susceptible people like the elderly or very young children.”

The base partnered with the Davis County Health Department for the flu vaccination last year and Kleinsmith said it was a success, with approximately 1,600 employees receiving the vaccine through the clinics.

This year the health department will again offer insurance billed flu vaccinations to Hill’s non-Tricare beneficiary civilian employees. Blood pressure and cholesterol screenings will also be offered during some of the clinics. 

The flu vaccination is a covered benefit by most health insurance plans offered to Hill’s civilian employees, and will cover the cost of the vaccine offered by the health department.

Employees who want to take advantage of the on-base clinics must bring their proof of insurance card; otherwise, non-insurance billed flu vaccine will cost $30 for quadrivalent flu shot and $30 for the flu mist. Other types of insurance billed flu vaccine will also be made available at the clinics.

The flu vaccine clinics will be:

• Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to noon, Bldg. 849, Hill Conference Room

• Oct. 7, 7-10 a.m., Bldg. 225, Joe Baily Conference Center

• Oct. 8, 7-10 a.m., Bldg. 1515, Executive Conference Room

• Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to noon, Bldg. 847, Main Conference Room

• Oct. 15, 7-11 a.m., Bldg. 507, Roessler Conference Room

• Oct. 16, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Warrior Fitness Center

• Oct. 21, 7-10 a.m., Bldg. 100, Ray Close Conference Room

• Oct. 23, 8 a.m. to noon, Bldg 1295, Poe Conference Room

• Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Base Exchange

• Nov. 4, 1-4 p.m., Bldg. 674, Break Room

• Nov. 5, 3-5:30 p.m., Bldg. 520, Hess Fitness Center (for child and adult)

• Nov. 6, 9-11:30 a.m., Bldg. 849, MXSG Training Room Northside

• Nov. 6, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Bldg. 849, EMXG Conference Room Eastside

• Nov. 12, 7:30-11 a.m., Bldg. 1209, Large Conference Room

• Nov. 13, 8 a.m. to noon, Warrior Fitness Center (Insurance Fair)

• Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Base Exchange

• Nov. 19, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Warrior Fitness Center (Fall Expo)

Civilian employees who miss getting vaccinated on base can get the vaccine off base at the Davis County Health Department in nearby Clearfield on 22 South State St., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

According to the Davis County Health Department, children up to 18 years old who do not have health insurance are eligible for free state-supplied vaccine and only pay an administration fee of $5.

For more information about the flu vaccine clinics being offered on base,  contact Raphael Mumford, Occupational Medical Services, at 801-777-1167, or Doug Pierson, Community Health Element Chief, at 801-586-9768.

Davis County Public Health online is at http://www.co.davis.ut.us/health/flu/.