LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Germany -- The flu vaccine has arrived and will be offered to the Kaiserslautern Military Community at numerous events throughout the area. In addition, patients may also receive the vaccine during scheduled appointments in their primary care clinics as well as the Immunization, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatric clinics.

Army and Air Force health professionals recommend the flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older to prevent getting the flu or reducing the severity and duration of symptoms.

"The flu can be life threatening and the most dangerous for those who cannot be vaccinated, like infants, the elderly and people with health complications," said Chief of Army Public Health Nursing for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Maj. Timothy Whoolery. "This is why everyone who can get vaccinated against the flu really needs to get the vaccine, to reduce the spread to our high risk population."

For many people, annual vaccination is a requirement and not a recommendation. This includes military service members, healthcare workers, school-age children, as well as childcare facility employees and attendees. Anyone required to receive the vaccine should ask their unit or organization for guidance about when and where to get it.

LRMC and the Air Force's 86th Medical Group will host a number of flu vaccine events throughout the local communities. The vaccine will be offered at these community events to anyone 6 months and older who is eligible for healthcare at a military treatment facility, unless otherwise noted below. Everyone is encouraged to attend one of these events, as wait times are typically much shorter than in the clinical setting.

Although the vaccine is provided at no cost to the patient, Army medical staff will be asking all but active duty patients to submit their health insurance information, so please bring a copy of a current health insurance card.

Below is a listing of flu vaccine events throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community as well as the Baumholder community. For more information on the flu vaccine, OR for information on vaccination outside the KMC Area, please speak with your primary care manager.

Oct. 17, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC MallOct. 17, 7:30 a.m.-noon, LRMC Heaton Auditorium - *4 years and olderOct. 17, 2-6 p.m., Smith Elementary SchoolOct. 18, 2-6 p.m., Vogelweh Elementary School - *4 years and olderOct. 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Retiree Appreciation Day at Ramstein Officers ClubOct. 19, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC MallOct. 19, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Panzer, Bldg. 3003 FRG Room - Active Duty UnitsOct. 23, 2-6 p.m., Baumholder Middle/High SchoolOct. 24, 7:30 a.m.-noon, LRMC Heaton Auditorium - *4 years and olderOct. 24, 2-6 p.m., Bldg. 8884 (Wetzel) BaumholderOct. 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC MallOct. 26, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Panzer, Bldg. 3003 FRG RoomOct. 26, 2-6 p.m., Kaiserslautern School Complex - *4 years and olderOct. 27, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC MallOct. 30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC MallOct. 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC MallOct. 31, 2-6 p.m., Hall of ChampionsNov. 2, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., KMCC MallNov. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Vogelweh Community CenterNov. 2, 2-6 p.m. Sembach Elementary School - *4 years and olderNov. 3, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Ramstein Elementary Parent Teacher DayNov. 7, 3-6 p.m. , Baumholder Java CaféNov. 9, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Kleber Fitness CenterNov. 13, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Ramstein Elementary Parent Teacher DayNov. 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Resource Fair KMCC - *4 years and olderNov. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Kleber Fitness Center

*Only for ages 4 and up. Children under 4 years of age should receive their vaccine at a different community event or in their Pediatric clinic.