Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center

With Michigan, Wisconsin and the rest of the country experiencing high levels of influenza-like illnesses, the VA is encouraging all Veterans to get their flu vaccinations.  

For Veterans enrolled in VA health care, no appointment is necessary at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, Michigan, or any of its seven community based outpatient clinics located in Sault Ste. Marie, Manistique, Marquette, Hancock, Ironwood, and Menominee, Michigan and Rhinelander, Wisconsin.   Veterans may also request the flu shot at their regularly scheduled doctor’s appointments. 

The VA asks that any Veterans enrolled in VA health care who received flu vaccinations from a non-VA provider or clinic, to please call their VA primary care clinic so that it can be documented in their medical record. 

“Contrary to what many believe, the flu vaccine is not a live virus, but an inactivated (dead) one,” said Darlene Johnson, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program Manager at the VA Medical Center.  “The vaccine cannot give you the flu,” said Johnson. 
Veterans who have questions regarding flu vaccinations should contact their VA primary care clinic.  Information is also available at www.publichealth.va.gov/flu.