Yokota immunizations keeping Airmen Fit-to-Fight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Yokota Airmen were inoculated with the seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccinations as part of a Point of Distribution plan during an Operational Readiness Exercise here, September 7.

"The medical group is equipped and ready to respond to situations ranging from natural disasters, operations other than war, or wartime contingency operations," said Lt. Col. Norman West, the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander and 374th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "After being presented with epidemiological evidence that an Exercise influenza outbreak was occurring in the PACOM Theater the dispensing point was established, immunizing over 1000 Airmen in a little over 12 hours."

Yokota's Immunization Clinic opened the POD inside the Airmen and Family Readiness Center in an effort to quickly and efficiently protect the base population from the spread of the both the seasonal flu and H1N1.

The A&FRC was chosen as the POD because of its central location on the base, said Staff Sgt. Victoria Basset, 374th Medical Group immunizations technician. The central point of distribution increased the vaccination efficiency by reducing transit and wait times, she added.

Mobile PODs were also utilized during the ORE, as members of the immunizations clinic, along with several trained assistants, paid visits to various organizations around the base. The POD plan not only increased vaccination efficiency, it enabled the medical group personnel to meet military requirements and effectively demonstrate their capabilities, and provided a practical training platform.

"We prioritize our training to ensure we are able to surge from routine, quality outpatient medical care to large-scale contingency operations," said Lt. Col. Norman West, the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander and 374th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "Exercising the POD enabled the medical group to meet Air Force demands for real-world influenza immunizations while rapidly dispensing medication to the wing population."

Throughout the ORE more than 1,600 Airmen have been vaccinated either at the A&FRC POD or from mobile POD visits. All of Yokota's active duty members are required to get vaccinated, and the medical group is more than prepared to ensure Team Yokota remains mission capable.

"Getting the flu is not fun," said Sergeant Bassett. "When we don't get sick, we don't lose manpower or flight time, and we are all a better fit-to-fight force."