Elizabeth Skinner, who coordinated the vaccinations. Once active-duty soldiers have been vaccinated, the remaining doses will be administered to civilian employees who desire them. Roughly 10 percent of the doses received will be available for use by civilians, said 2nd Lt. Leah Corsover of the 32nd Medical Logistics Detachment. The detachment is responsible for bringing in all medication needed by the hospital staff.
Vaccinations are good for one year.
Each vaccination combats the strain of influenza for which it was designed for life, but the strains change each year, thus the need for a new flu shot each year, Skinner said. The vaccination does not guarantee that a person won't catch the flu, but, if vaccinated, those who do get the flu are likely to have a milder version, Skinner said. The flu vaccines were shipped to Bosnia and Herzegovina by U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center, Europe. The doses are shipped in Styrofoam containers with ice packs. They must remain between 35 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit during shipping.