Philadelphia VAMC Flu Vaccine

The Philadelphia VA Medical Center has already vaccinated more than 20,000 Veterans against the seasonal and H1N1 flu!  Veterans may receive your flu vaccine at the Veterans Free Flu Vaccine Clinic, Mon-Fri, 9 am - 3 pm, in the Outpatient Pharmacy Area.  You may also receive your flu vaccine at any scheduled medical appointment, including at any Philadelphia VA community based outpatient clinic.

Novel H1N1 Flu Vaccine

Based on our current and anticipated H1N1 vaccine supplies, the Philadelphia VA Medical Center is now offering the H1N1 vaccine to all patients registered for VA health care.  Our priority throughout has been to vaccinate those people who have the biggest impact on patients' health and well-being.  

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones!

In addition to receiving your flu vaccine, there are many common-sense steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you.  H1N1 is a virus passed (1) through the droplets of sneezes and coughs, and (2) by touching surfaces infected by people with influenza. Protecting yourself is easier than you think:

1. Use a tissue to cover your cough and sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze in your sleeve, not your hand.

Covering your cough is key to preventing the spread of the virus. Dispose of the tissue immediately and wash your hands. Coughing or sneezing into your sleeve avoids infecting your hands and keeps germs from spreading to people or surfaces around you.

2. Keep your hands away from your face and don't touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

Germs on your hands can easily spread to your mouth, nose and eyes when you touch your face.

3. Wash your hands with soap often (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer)

Germs can live for up to 8 hours on all the surfaces you touch. Take the time — every time — to wash your hands when you've been in public (that goes for meetings, the supermarket, school, the park...anywhere your hands touch something other hands have touched). And especially before you eat.

4. Keep frequently used surfaces clean.

5. Stay home if you get sick.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, leaving the house only to get medical care. Schools and workplaces are encouraging this policy to avoid infecting other students and employees.

One last tip to prepare for the upcoming flu season: Stock over-the-counter medications, alcohol-based cleaner, tissues and plenty of fluids while you're well to avoid the need for a pharmacy trip in the event you do get sick.

More information on H1N1 is available on the VA's Public Health web site.