#FlasbackFriday Influenza Kills Tens of Millions, Get Vaccinated
(Left) In this file photo, a letter carrier in New York City wears a mask for protection, Oct. 16, 1918, during the influenza outbreak that killed approximately 40 million people worldwide. Letter carriers, mass transit workers and others who came in contact with the public were especially vulnerable to disease. Wearing a face mask helped them avoid contagion. U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Commander Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein (right) gets his flu shot Oct. 15. The single best way to protect yourself against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
Almost a century ago, World War I raged across the globe with more than 17 million Service Members killed and 20 million wounded. Cities and nations were devastated during the war with disease, including an influenza epidemic, spreading quickly.
It was in 1918 when the worst global epidemic of influenza spread, beginning in May, and by the time the crisis ended in 1919 more than 20 million people would die from the virus. Approximately 600,000 of the casualties were in the U.S., with October 1918 the single deadliest month during the outbreak. Approximately 21,000 deaths were recorded in the first week of the month, and by the end of the month 195,000 deaths were caused by the illness.
It is important to get your flu shot, and Barquist Army Health Clinic is offering flu vaccinations for all eligible Tricare beneficiaries, dependent children and current DOD civilians, no appointment necessary, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Nov. 4 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Building 1507, Odom Physical Fitness Center.
On Dec. 12, Company B, 4th LAR, can receive their flu vaccinations from 8 – 10 a.m. at Building 1507, Odom Physical Fitness Center.
