Vaccine Information

374th MDG administers initial COVID-19 vaccines

Gloved hands hold a box of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines

First wave of COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Yokota

Vaccine Update
Consistent with higher headquarters direction, Yokota AB will be accelerating the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to more Phase 1 personnel. Individuals selected are based on medical necessity and continuation of mission essential operations and services.

Due to changes in the distribution timeline, there may be more opportunities for specified groups to receive their first dose and as well as changes to second dose schedules.

Every effort will be made to contact all individuals affected by this change. If there are any questions, please reach out to your healthcare provide by utilizing proper methods, such as Secure Messenger (which can be accessed via www.tricareonline.com) or placing a telephone consult with your provider (DSN: 225-8864 or Cell: 042-552-2510 Ext. 58864).

The Department of Defense has full confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for use under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). That means the vaccine is voluntary and personnel are highly encouraged to educate themselves about the vaccine in order to receive it. None of the factors that contributed to the accelerated development of a COVID-19 vaccine imply that safety, scientific or ethical integrity are compromised, or that short-cuts have been made.

Although the vaccination process has begun, all personnel should continue to diligently adhere to all protective measures in accordance with the latest Public Health Emergency policy:
- Wear a mask
- Maintain social distancing
- Sanitize common touched surfaces
- Regularly wash your hand with soap
- Limit non-mission-essential social gatherings
Besides the protective measures we’ve observed together as a community, the vaccine will be our first real offensive tool to prevent future spread of the COVID virus. The vaccine will help protect your health, your families and our entire community, and lower the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vaccine distribution process is phase-driven to safely protect DoD personnel from COVID-19 as fairly and as quickly as possible while also ensuring continued DoD mission capability. We will continue to share information to the maximum extent possible regarding administration of the vaccine, to include notification to groups on the timeline for their particular phase. We appreciate your continued patience and support.

For more information on the vaccine administered at Yokota Air Base, please refer to:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html?fbclid=IwAR2gRWN6mtu-sBu9V9eoWyu_UP8mJ9SDxxGfgRQHNx-utQy2Zrtg0pOjUDE
Vaccine Info
a. The number one priority of DoD is protection of our people during the pandemic.

b. The DoD is working to get the vaccine to all our personnel as quickly as possible, while recognizing the need to use initial vaccine doses for key populations within the DoD family. That's why on January 7, 2021, the Military Departments were given the authority to move through the population schema tiers without additional authorization.

c. DoD will continue to use a conditions-based approach in collaboration with state, regional and local leaders, host nations, and public health experts to maintain safe duty locations.

d. We urge all Service members, DoD employees, and their families to follow proper personal safety precautions.

e. DoD agrees with the CDC position that the second dose for mRNA vaccines should be at the timelines identified in the EUA. When this is not possible due to the unique aspects of our operational environment and tempo, CDC has stated that the second dose administration may be scheduled up to 42 days past the first dose.

f. We are aware that some people have experienced severe allergic reactions—also known as anaphylaxis—after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. If you had a severe allergic reaction after getting the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, CDC recommends that you should not get the second dose.

g. Even if you have been vaccinated, other COVID-19 safety precautions like masks, social distancing and frequent hand-washing, should remain in effect until experts better understand the extent of protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide.

h. In order to provide the Military Departments clear direction and ensure the most essential and vulnerable populations receive the vaccines as quickly as possible, the population schema was updated January 15, 2021 to further define national leadership, frontline and other essential workers, and now includes those 75 years old and older.

i. DoD beneficiaries 75 and older are encouraged to access COVID-19 vaccines through their closest Military Medical Treatment Facility (MTF). The availability of the vaccine will vary by location. The DHA is developing several options to assist military hospitals and clinics in reaching out to you. If you’re age 75 or older, you can watch for news from your local military hospital or clinic. You can visit your military hospital’s website, news media, or social media to stay informed about vaccine updates. You should contact your local military hospital or clinic for their vaccination process and availability. The vaccines will be more broadly available in the coming months.

j. COVID-19 is a global challenge that no nation can face alone – our strong network of alliances and partnerships is critical to combating this virus.

k. We maintain a ready, global presence, strong and capable no matter the threat.
FAQs
Q. What if you go beyond 42 days, is it still advisable to get the second dose?

A. You should always get your required second dose as soon as possible with the established parameters since there are currently limited data on efficacy of mRNA vaccines administered beyond the stated windows.

Q. With all of the COVID-19 variants now circulating, do you need a booster of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines?

A. No doses beyond the 2-dose primary series are recommended at this time.

Q. Can I get other vaccines with or near the time I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

A. COVID-19 vaccine series should be administered alone, with a minimum 14-days before or after administration with other vaccines. The exception would be situations where the benefits of vaccination are deemed to outweigh the potential unknown risks of vaccination co-administration.

Q. I have received my first dose of Pfizer but I am moving overseas and they only have Moderna. Can I get Moderna as my second dose?

A. mRNA COVID vaccines are not interchangeable with each other. Therefore, you should take all necessary planning sets to ensure you are at a location that has the same vaccine product as your first dose. However, CDC has stated that in truly exceptional circumstances situation in which the 1st dose vaccine produce cannot be determined or is no longer available, any available mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at a minimum interval of 28 days between doses to complete the mRNA vaccine series.

Q. I have already had COVID-19, should I get the vaccine?

A. If you have had COVID-19, but recovered, you can get the vaccines. If you are currently symptomatic, you must wait until you are well. Current evidence suggests risk of reinfection is low in the months following infection. Therefore, while vaccine supply remains limited, persons with recent infection may choose to temporarily delay vaccination, if desired, recognizing that the risk of reinfection, and need for vaccination, may increase with time following initial infection.

Q. I just received an antibody treatment for COVID-19, when can I get the vaccine?

A. If you have received convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies you should defer vaccine for 90 days.

Q. I am a member of the National Guard on active duty can I get my COVID-19 vaccine at a MTF?

A. Service members on active duty and in the Selected Reserve (including National Guard personnel) are eligible and encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccines at military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) or other DoD vaccination sites, as identified by the Military Departments, and within the schema prioritization. Service members who are not able to access a DoD vaccination site and elect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through non-DoD channels must provide documentation of receipt of the vaccination to their unit for documentation in appropriate medical readiness systems.

Q. Am I required to get my COVID-19 vaccine at a MTF?

A. No. Service members who are not able to access a DoD vaccination site and elect to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through non-DoD channels must provide documentation of receipt of the vaccination to their unit for documentation in appropriate medical readiness systems. Dependents of active duty Service members, retirees, and other eligible DoD beneficiaries are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and encouraged to access COVID-19 vaccines through existing processes at MTFs or through the private sector care component of TRICARE.

Q. I have allergies but not related to getting vaccines, should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

A. CDC recommends that people with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications—such as food, pet, venom, environmental, or latex allergies—get vaccinated. People with a history of allergies to oral medications or a family history of severe allergic reactions may also get vaccinated.

Q. I am a NAF employee (or DoD Contractor) but can’t be treated by an MTF normally, can I still get my COVID-19 vaccine at my installation MTF or site?

A. DoD civilian employees, who are not otherwise eligible DoD beneficiaries, are eligible to receive the vaccine, and select contractor personnel who usually receive influenza vaccines as part of a DoD occupational safety and health program (e.g., health care workers, maintenance depot workers), and who are not otherwise eligible DoD beneficiaries, may be offered COVID-19 vaccines at DoD vaccination sites. Follow-on care (other than the administration of a second vaccine dose) will be provided through such individuals' existing health care plans or personal health care providers.

Q. I am an employee of a DOD contractor supporting DOD efforts, can I get the vaccine from DOD?

A. DoD's allocation may be offered, and administered at DoD vaccination sites, to employees of DoD contractors directly supporting the DoD on DoD installations or in an operational environment, in accordance with the attached DoD COVID-19 vaccine population schema (e.g. healthcare providers/support personnel, personnel preparing to deploy), and the terms of applicable contracts.
Resources
Your Supervisor & Chain of Command for questions on policy.

Medical Group Appointment Line for medical triage only: DSN: 225‐8864 Opt. 7 or Cell: 042‐552‐2510 Ext. 58864 Opt. 7.

Yokota Air Base Facebook @YokotaAirBase: https://www.facebook.com/yokotaairbase

Yokota Air Base Website: https://www.yokota.af.mil/COVID-19/

Yokota Connect App

Commander’s Access Line (374AW.PA.CommandersAction@us.af.mil)