Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

U.S. Army Medical Team Administers COVID-19 Vaccines in Guam

Image of Military health personnel wearing a face mask administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Army Sgt. Diana Sandoval, a combat medic specialist assigned to 25th Infantry Division, administers a COVID-19 Vaccine in support of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) COVID-19 Vaccination team at a vaccination clinic held at the University of Guam Calvo Field House. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class MacAdam Kane Weissman)

A team of U.S. Army medical professionals began administering COVID-19 Vaccine doses to members of the local community in Mangilao, Guam on April 16.

The team consists of a medical officer and combat medic specialists assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Army Garrison Hawaii. As part of a scheduled 30-day mission assignment, the soldiers are bolstering Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) vaccination teams in their campaign to immunize 50% of Guam's adult population by May 1, 2021.

Following the medical team's arrival, the soldiers joined DPHSS staff to review local procedures and prepare to administer COVID-19 Vaccine doses to community members.

"I couldn't be more proud of my team and what we have accomplished," said Army 2nd Lt. Shelby Lynch, officer in charge of the medical team. "It was clear that we could make a real difference here and all of us are excited to be a part of that. It is an honor to work with the local staff and community."

Lynch and her team integrated with Guam National Guard and DPHSS medical professionals to administer thousands of vaccines at the University of Guam (UOG) Calvo Field House each day. In their first three days of vaccinations, the Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division administered over 2,600 vaccines to the local community.

Military health personnel wearing a face mask administering the COVID-19 vaccine
Pfc. Ethan Van Veldhuizen, a combat medic specialist assigned to 25th Infantry Division, administers a COVID-19 Vaccine in support of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) COVID-19 Vaccination team at a vaccination clinic held at the University of Guam Calvo Field House. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class MacAdam Kane Weissman)

"I have nothing but respect and admiration for what these Soldiers have done and continue to do," said Navy Rear Adm. John Menoni, commander, Joint Region Marianas. "They showed up and instantly pitched into the fight against COVID-19, directly contributing to Guam's push toward its 50% and 80% immunization benchmarks."

DPHSS and the Guam National Guard began vaccinations at UOG in January, initially vaccinating hundreds of people daily. The Hawaii-based Army medical team has already helped maintain a daily vaccination rate of more than 2,000 doses in the critical weeks before the May 1 goal.

"We are so happy to have them here," said Army Capt. Denise Chargualaf, commander, Task Force Medical, Joint Task Force 671, Guam National Guard. "With the 25th team now onboard, they have dramatically increased our numbers of vaccinations given. It's has been so smooth with them. It's almost like they've been here with us since January when we started Operation Liberate Guam."

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, through U.S. Army Pacific, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You also may be interested in...

COVID-19 Responses Underscore Importance of Patient Safety

Article
3/14/2022
Every day, patient safety is one of the top priorities for the Defense Health Agency. Patient safety means providing ready, reliable care to service members, veterans, and dependents no matter the circumstances. (Photo: Defense Health Agency)

Patient safety is a topmost concern of MHS, and Patient Safety Awareness Week 2022 focuses on Ready, Reliable Care.

Answering Your Questions About COVID-19 Testing

Article
2/25/2022
Military personnel performing a COVID-19 Test

COVID-19 continues to spread, now as the Omicron variant. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect you and your family from getting seriously ill, getting hospitalized, or dying. You should also make sure you’re up to date with your vaccines. Testing is another important step you can take to protect yourself and others.

Defense Department Announces Distribution of COVID-19 Tests for Military Beneficiaries

Article
2/25/2022
A Soldier assigned to the Connecticut National Guard helps load a shipment of at-home COVID-19 testing kits into a truck at a regional distribution point in North Haven, Connecticut, Jan. 3, 2022. These kits were picked up by representatives from local towns and municipalities to be handed out to their communities.

The Department of Defense will offer at-home COVID-19 tests for military beneficiaries at military hospitals or clinics, on a supply available basis, in the coming weeks.

Caring for Recruits' Injuries is Key to Success at Basic Training

Article
2/23/2022
U.S. Marines wait for instruction from their Senior Drill Instructor after concluding a motivational run at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, on March 11, 2021.

Injuries at bootcamp can end a military career before it starts. That’s why trainers and drill instructors take countless precautions to ensure trainees stay fit and healthy.

Latasha Smith: Warrior against COVID-19

Article Around MHS
2/18/2022
Military personnel looking at a patient's cardiac rhythm

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Latasha Smith, an Airman assigned to the 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, was celebrated as Airlifter of the Week, Jan. 27, 2022, after leading the assault against COVID-19 for over a year.

Military Medical Units Support Civilian Hospitals Strained By COVID-19 Surge

Article
2/14/2022
Air Force Staff Sgt. Bradley Gorman, a medical technician assigned to a military medical team deployed to Yuma, Arizona performs a nasal swab at the Yuma Regional Medical Center’s COVID testing drive-thru in Yuma, Jan. 17, 2022.

Thousands of service members have been supporting civilian hospitals with testing, vaccinations and treatment of seriously ill patients.

Army Reserve medics support fellow Soldiers during Allied Spirit 22

Article Around MHS
2/11/2022
Combat Medical personnel from U.S. Army Reserve Unit 444th Medical Company Ground Ambulance Unit

U.S. Army Reserve combat medics assigned to 444th Medical Company, Ground Ambulance Unit from Beaver, West Virginia, participated in Exercise Allied Spirit 22 in the Joint Multinational Readiness Center training area near Hohenfels, Germany in late Jan.

COVID-19 therapeutics support DOD pandemic response

Article Around MHS
2/11/2022
Military personnel getting COVID-29 doses ready

The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency is helping to protect the operational force by distributing several new therapeutic options that help to lessen the symptoms of mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 and keep Soldiers, their families and beneficiaries out of the hospital.

COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines continues to study long-term effects of COVID-19 on Marines

Article Around MHS
2/10/2022
Medical military personnel talking to a patient

A team composed of U.S. Navy medical personnel and civilian technicians based out of the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, assembled during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 to study the short and long-term effects that the virus has on Marines. 

Does CSM Gragg Have COVID-19?

Video
2/9/2022
Does CSM Gragg Have COVID-19?

CSM Gragg demonstrates how to use a COVID-19 at home rapid test.

Why Today’s ‘Gen Z’ is at Risk for Boot Camp Injuries

Article
2/8/2022
Military personnel during boot camp

Today’s military recruits are more likely than ever to sustain a serious injury at their initial military training. Here’re some tips for how to prepare before shipping out.

Getting up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccine

Article Around MHS
2/8/2022
Military personnel giving the COVID-19 vaccine

The U.S. Guard Coast is that we have vaccines to help prevent serious illness if you contract COVID-19.

RHC-C Soldier wins 2022 Army Best Medic Competition

Article Around MHS
2/7/2022
Military personnel posing for a picture

Weed Army Community Hospital medics won first place in the 2022 U.S. Army Best Medic Competition, which took place Jan. 24-28 at Fort Hood, Texas.

VAXFacts TRICARE coverage Vaccine

Infographic
2/3/2022
Vax Fax COVID-19 Infographic

Will TRICARE cover the COVID-19 Vaccine? Yes. TRICARE offers the vaccine itself at no cost, but there may be a cost based on your plan for an office visit or if you require follow-on care.

Compromised Immune System

Infographic
2/3/2022
COVID-19 Infographic about Compromised Immune System

Do you have a compromised immune system? The CDC recommends you get an additional primary dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Page 4 of 27 , showing items 46 - 60
First < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: May 04, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery