Infographic showing the Burden of Flu during the 2021-2022 flu season. The CDC estimates flu caused 9 million flu illnesses (more than the population of New York City), 100,000 flu hospitalizations (300 per day over the course of a year), and 5,000 flu deaths (about 14 flu deaths per day over the course of a year).
The CDC estimates flu caused 9 million flu illnesses (more than the population of New York City), 100,000 flu hospitalizations (300 per day over the course of a year), and 5,000 flu deaths (about 14 flu deaths per day over the course of a year).

Being Prepared: Preventative Health Measures and Being Mission-Ready

By Ms. Michelle Piehl, Staff Writer

Operational readiness is more than combat readiness. It also ensures medical and mental readiness for all servicemembers.

Obtaining regular seasonal flu shots and COVID-19 boosters maintains force readiness. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the 2021–2022 flu caused approximately nine million flu-related illnesses, one hundred thousand hospitalizations, and five thousand deaths. CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot every season, with rare exceptions.[1] The agency recommends getting vaccinated before the start of flu season because it takes approximately two weeks to develop protective antibodies after receiving vaccination.

For COVID-19, CDC recommends everyone six months and older get a 2024–2025 vaccination. Vaccine effectiveness wanes over time, so staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is essential to allow the body time to develop T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes a few weeks after vaccination. As of June 1, 2024, nearly 1.2 million people have died of COVID-19 in the United States, according to CDC.[2]

Maintaining healthy eating habits and sufficient nutritional intake enhances energy to support the fight.[3] MyPlate is a tool published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps plan personalized food group targets for healthy dietary habits using demographic information, such as age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity levels.[4]

Keeping routine exercise habits with incremental progression also helps bolster readiness by preventing injury. In addition, making a plan for physical fitness can eliminate decision paralysis and ensure that all muscle groups are being effectively maintained.

On October 20, 2024, the 944th Medical Squadron at Luke Air Force Base celebrated fourteen consecutive months without a fitness test failure. Their key to success lies in a squadron-wide cultural shift from individual performance to team reliance. For traditional reservists, this key is critical for striking a civilian-military balance.

TSgt Tyler J. Bolken covered the achievement in an article, noting that, “The Air Force Fitness Program’s year-round emphasis on physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility highlights the importance of readiness, productivity, and reduced absenteeism. For Reservists who move between civilian and military roles, staying fit is a critical part of maintaining the higher standards of service.”[5]

[1] Centers for Disease Control. “Who Needs a Flu Vaccine.”  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/vaccinations.html.

[2] Centers for Disease Control. “2021-2022 Flu Burden.” https://www.cdc.gov/flu-resources/php/resources/2021-2022-flu-burden.html.

[3] Clingerman, David. 2021. “Healthy Eating Habits,” DVIDS. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6787975/healthy-eating-habits.

[4] U.S. Department of Agriculture. “MyPlate.” https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan.

[5] Bolken, Tyler J. 2024. “United in Fitness: 944th MDS Models Culture of Cohesion, Readiness,” DVIDS. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/484268/united-fitness-944th-mds-models-culture-cohesion-readiness.