Page 6 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition

6 Desert Lightning News Photo Feature February 2021 7
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vis-Monthan
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D D a vis-Monthan begins adm inis tering
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Davis-Monthan begins administering
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by Senior Airman mally receive vaccines will be eligible to
NicholAS RoSS receive the COVID-19 vaccine, based on
the DoD prioritization plan.
355th Wing Public Affairs Safety, efficacy of
“It’s safe, it’s effective, and it’s the best
The 355th Medical Group began ad- shot we have to a return to normalcy in
ministering the first batch of COVID-19 the future,” Mandabach said.
vaccines at Davis-Monthan Air Force Although the arrival of the vaccine
Base Jan. 6. represents a significant step in the fight COVID-19 vaccine
This distribution is a part of Operation against the virus, there will not be an
Warp Speed, a national initiative to pro- immediate change to the COVID-19 miti-
duce and deliver millions of doses of safe gation policies on base. Personnel should
and effective vaccines to the American continue to wear masks, practice physical on latest podcast
people. distancing, wash their hands, and stay
The first phase of administering the home if they feel sick.
vaccine prioritizes those providing direct Additional up-to-date information about
medical care and those who maintain es- the vaccine and the DoD’s distribution by
sential national security and installation plan can be found here: https://www.de- AiR EducAtioN ANd tRAiNiNg commANd
functions. The Department of Defense’s fense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/
prioritization was developed in line with Vaccine-Availability/ JoiNt BASE SAN ANtoNio-RANdolPh, texas — In
the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- episode 42 of “The Air Force Starts Here” podcast, the safety and
vention distribution priorities to offer the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine is discussed by the team at the
vaccine to critical personnel filling specific 59th Medical Wing.
mission requirements and serving in high- The Federal Drug Administration approved two COVID-19 vac-
exposure risk units. cines, manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna, for emergency use
The vaccine distribution is aimed at authorization. As of Jan. 15, the DoD is administering the vaccine
protecting the health of Airmen, their in phases due to limited availability of initial vaccine doses.
families and their community by lowering The first phase will distribute and administer vaccines at select
the public health risk associated with the locations, which included the 59th Medical Wing at Join Base
COVID-19 pandemic. San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. To answer all of the questions our
Staff Sgt. Suzanna A. Nelson, noncom- Airmen have, Maj. Gen. (Dr.) John DeGoes, commander of the
missioned officer in charge of the immu- Senior Airman Nicholas Ross 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, took to
nizations clinic, was the first Airman at Staff Sgt. Susanna Nelson, noncommissioned officer in charge Facebook for a live virtual town hall.
Davis-Monthan to be given the vaccine. of the 355th Medical Group immunization clinic, receives the Joining him on the panel were Chief Master Sgt. Marc
“It was such an exciting feeling,” said first COVID-19 vaccine at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Jan. 6. Schoellkopf, 59th Medical Wing command chief; Col. (Dr.) Heather
Nelson. “Being able to do my part in us The vaccination is currently being administered using a phased Yun, deputy commander Medical Services at Brooke Army Medical
being able to take the next steps toward approach. Center; Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kevin White, 59th Medical Wing COVID-19
mitigating the effects of the virus is amaz- vaccine coordinator; and Staff Sgt. Amanda Wimberly, 802d Mili-
ing.” LEFT: Medical supplies were staged at one of four vaccine sta- tary Working Dog handler.
The Food and Drug Administration ap- Senior Airman Nicholas Ross tions Jan. 5. The vaccine will be offered on a voluntary basis. Priority popula-
proves vaccines to ensure that only safe tions are highly encouraged to receive the vaccine. Be sure to follow
and effective products are made available your unit for information on distribution specific to your area.
to the American public. During public Remember, the intent of the vaccine is to prevent the spread
health emergencies, like the COVID-19 of COVID 19. We will still need to wear cloth face covings and
pandemic, the FDA may authorize their practice physical distancing to limit the spread of the virus. It is
expedited use through an Emergency Use also very important to get the influenza vaccine. For more informa-
Authorization when there is scientific rea- tion on the COVID 19 vaccine, you can visit https://www.cdc.gov/
son to believe they are safe and effective. coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.
Vaccines authorized in this way, including You can stream “The Air Force Starts Here” podcast on your
the COVID-19 vaccine, are offered on a favorite podcast streaming app or on:
voluntary basis. Apple podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/developing-
“Medications such as Tylenol, Ibupro- mach-21-airmen/id1451609095
fen, and diabetes medication, all went Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/Im6uewr45nczxt4o
through a very similar if not the same 4xzucvucgpi?t=The_Air_Force_Starts_Here
vetting process that this vaccine did,” Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
said Capt. Jonathan E. Mandabach, 355th show/4UzkzL9wQdWmQnntGAd6Yp
MDG pediatrician and primary doctor DVIDS: https://www.dvidshub.net/tags/audio/the-air-force-
responsible for the first phase of the CO- starts-here-podcast
VID-19 distribution at Davis-Monthan. “I “The Air Force Starts Here” is Air Education and Training Com-
think the important thing to note is that mand’s professional development podcast. The professional develop-
no steps were skipped.” ment podcasts are designed to help communicate and inform Total
All eligible recipients are advised to edu- Force Airmen across the globe on relevant, timely topics related to
cate themselves on the vaccine before they the recruiting, training, education and development fields and can
decide whether they want to receive it. be listened to on the government network on the AETC website, or
As more doses become available, other Senior Airman Nicholas Ross via mobile application as well as on Apple Podcasts (iTunes). For
members of the Active Duty force, their Senior Airman Nicholas Ross An Airman from the 355th Medical Group sets up one of the vaccine stations Jan. 5. Android or Google mobile users, the podcast can be found on their
dependents, retirees, reserve components, Airmen from the 355th medical group prepare to begin giving COVID-19 vaccines at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Jan. 6. Davis-Monthan Davis-Monthan began voluntary vaccinations as part of Operation Warp Speed, the na- favorite third-party podcast phone application.
DoD employees and contractors who nor- began voluntary vaccinations as part of Operation Warp Speed. tional initiative to produce and distribute COVID-19 vaccines.