Seasonal flu vaccineavailability limited
The supply of seasonal influenza vaccine is rapidly depleting, and the Pax River Naval Health Clinic is expecting to exhaust its supply by the end of this week. Clinic staff has been able to periodically obtain small additional supplies, but large-scale shipments are not expected until late November or early December.

Call the clinic at 301-342-4972 to check on vaccine availability before going to the clinic for either FluMist or injectable vaccines.

Walk-in hours for the FluMist nasal seasonal influenza vaccine (for ages 18-49) available in the Preventive Medicine Department are every Tuesday and Thursday, 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-3 p.m. while supplies last. No adult injectable vaccine is available. However, adults age 18 and over can receive two separate shots of the pediatric vaccine at the same time if they wish. Adult injectable vaccine is not expected until late November or early December.

Pediatric injectable seasonal vaccine (ages 6-35 months) and injectable seasonal vaccine for pregnant women is also available on a walk-in basis from 1-3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. FluMist is being given in the immunizations department to those aged 2-17 as well as during the walk-in hours while supplies last.

Children ages 3-17 who are unable to take FluMist may receive two separate pediatric vaccines in the Immunization Department if unable to wait for the normal doses to arrive in late November or early December.

The H1N1 vaccine has been ordered and is projected for mid-November delivery.

Transition to heatis in the future
Colder weather has arrived, but it will be a while before the heat does. Reason: Energy conservation and tight budgets.

Under direction by Commander, Navy Installations Command, Pax River along with other installations will shut down cooling systems in berthing facilities (barracks, etc.) when the seven-day forecast shows five consecutive days with highs below 65 degrees Fahrenheit and lows below 55 degrees. For other facilities, it is five days with highs below 60 degrees and lows below 45 degrees.

CNIC has also directed that heat will not be turned on until four weeks have passed since cooling systems were shut off, except in case of an impending freeze. According to Pax River’s Public Works Department, cooling season generally ends in early November.

Buildings with systems that automatically switch between heating and cooling modes shall be set to cool no lower than 78 degrees and heat no higher than 68 degrees.

‘‘Hidden Disabilities”
NAVAIR and NAWCAD are sponsoring ‘‘Hidden Disabilities in the Workplace: Developing a Personal Understanding” Wednesday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Daugherty Center. Panelists include Joyce Bender, chair of the board of directors for the National Epilepsy Foundation; Dr. Suzanne Gosden Kitchen, senior consultant on cognitive and neurological disorders for the Job Accommodation Network; and Lt. Amarjeet Purewal, staff psychologist for the Naval Health Clinic at Quantico. Call 301-342-6671 to register or request special accommodations.

Caruso honored
Artist Hark Caruso was recently recognized by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots as a ‘‘Friend of the Society.” Past recipients include hotel magnate Barron Hilton, actor David Hartman, Test Wing Atlantic Safety Director Thomas Roberts. Caruso was recognized for creation of the book ‘‘X-traordinary Planes, X-traordinary Pilots,” an illustrated history of flight testing. Caruso donated 60 original illustrations, co-authored the text, and assembled the project for publication. Proceeds of the book go to SETP’s not-for-profit foundation to preserve flight test history and encourage a greater appreciation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among students.

Couples Retreat
The Pax River Chaplains Office and the Fleet and Family Support Center are sponsoring a day-long Couples Retreat Nov. 7, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Pax River Beach House. The retreat is designed to help partners say what they need to say and increase their communication with each other. Breakfast lunch and child care will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required. Registration deadline is Oct. 28. For more information, call 301-342-4911 or 301-342-3811.

Clinic enrollmentfor retirees changed
Effective immediately, the Pax River Naval Health Clinic is no longer accepting enrollment waiver requests from adult retirees and their adult family members. Requests for retiree family members age 17 and under will still be accepted for enrollment to the clinic’s pediatric department.

This policy is temporary and will be reevaluated in approximately three months. For more information, visit the enrollment office located in the TRICARE Service Center at the clinic.