JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- As 2020 draws to a close, staff with the 673d Medical Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, are vaccinating healthcare workers and other critical JBER personnel to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The installation’s first batch of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrived at JBER Dec. 31, 2020 as Operation Warp Speed continues.
Prioritization for COVID-19 vaccinations follows the Department of Defense’s phased distribution plan. The first phase includes healthcare workers, followed by personnel performing activities associated with critical national capabilities and other critical and essential workers, then high-risk individuals and finally all others.
DoD will continue to distribute and administer vaccines through this phased approach until 60% of DoD’s 11.1 million personnel have received the vaccine, at which time DoD anticipates vaccine manufacturing rates to support full-scale, unrestricted vaccine distribution and administration to Department personnel in the same way the Department conducts its annual influenza vaccine program.
Prioritized DoD personnel are encouraged to voluntarily receive the vaccine to protect their health, their families, their community, and lower the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
All DoD personnel, even those who have been vaccinated, will continue to wear appropriate masks, practice physical distancing, wash hands, and restrict movement to ensure safety, as a large portion of the population will need to be vaccinated before COVID-19 risks diminish.
DoD continues to deliver on the Acting Secretary of Defense’s priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect our people, maintain readiness, and support the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Follow updates on the JBER population prioritization and availability of the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting JBER’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JBERAK/.
For more information on the Department of Defense response to the Coronavirus visit https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines for DoD personnel and their families visit https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Combat-Support/Public-Health/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccine-Efforts/Getting-the-COVID-19-Vaccine.