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

Distribution Schema
Vaccine Update
Team Yokota,

We want to reassure you that the safety and well-being of our community is a top priority and the wing is working as quickly as possible to obtain enough vaccines to ensure that all eligible individuals who opt-in can be vaccinated. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as the 374th Airlift Wing continues to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.

To receive the most up to date information, please refer to our Facebook page, website or the USAF Connect App.

Distribution Group

Currently, we are vaccinating people who fall into Tier 1 (see attached) and are expecting to move into Tier 2 in the near future. If you fall into the current tier and have questions regarding your status, please contact your unit leadership. Additionally, beneficiaries over the age of 65 and high risk patients are managed by MDG Disease Management, DSN 225-2965.

If you have any specific questions about the vaccine after reviewing the Emergency Use Authorization handout located on the CDC’s website, please contact your PCM.

Schedule

Please do not show up to a COVID-19 vaccine line unless you have been directly contacted by your unit leadership.

When we move into Tier 2, we will provide details on COVID-19 vaccine lines.

How to Schedule

When we move into Tier 2, we will provide further instructions on how to schedule your vaccine.

Vaccine Information

Yokota Air Base is projected to receive the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine soon and will be adding it to our vaccination rotation. Yokota will soon have two different COVID-19 vaccines: Moderna and Janssen.

The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. The vaccine is approved for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. You should not get this vaccine if you have had any severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of the vaccine. The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is 76.7% effective against severe/critical COVID-19 14 days vaccination and 85.4% effective after 28 days vaccination. Common and expected side effects following vaccination include injection site pain, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, and fever. Side effects will resolve within 1-2 days following vaccination. For more information, please go to https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/janssen/index.html.

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is a 2-series COVID-19 vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. The vaccine is approved for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. You should not get this vaccine if you have had any severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of the vaccine. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is 94.1% effective against COVID-19. Common and expected side effects following vaccination include injection site pain, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, and fever. Side effects will resolve within 1-2 days following vaccination. For more information, please go to https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/moderna/index.html.

If you have any moral or religious concerns, please call the Yokota Chapel at DSN 225-7009.

If you have any questions, please refer to:

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

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

-USAF Connect App
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)