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.

Need larger text?

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)

4/29/2021 By: Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class MacAdam Weissman, Joint Region Marianas

Share this page

Social Media Links

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 Registry Provides Pandemic Response Insights, Optimizes Patient Care

Article
3/28/2023
COVID-19 Registry Provides Pandemic Response Insights, Optimizes Patient Care

Prior to the pandemic, the DOD began deploying MHS GENESIS, the new federal electronic health record, to improve health care outcomes for our service members, veterans, and their families. Critical enterprise needs quickly came to light to combat the impacts of the COVID-19 disease.

Navy’s Global Engagement Helps Identify and Mitigate Disease

Article
3/22/2023
Navy’s Global Engagement Helps Identify and Mitigate Disease

In support of the Military Health System, the Naval Medical Research Unit-2 is just one global entity that works with local partners to identify and combat global health threats.

Genome Sequencing Assists Research at Naval Health Research Center

Article
1/24/2023
Lab technicians doing genome research

Learn how unique samples from naval vessels, US-Mexico border populations, and DOD beneficiaries aided in the Naval Health Research Center’s sequencing efforts.

U.S. Military HIV Research Lends Lessons Learned to COVID-19

Article
1/19/2023
Gloved hands working in laboratory

The U.S. military has engaged in HIV research for three decades, contributing critical lessons learned, knowledge, and expertise during the COVID-19 research and vaccine development effort.

Naval Medical Research Center Uses Genome Sequencing for Variants

Article
1/12/2023
Military personnel pose for a group photo

NMRC’s efforts provided important support for sequencing and viral isolation to the Department of Defense and Military Health System.

USAMRIID Focuses on Genome Sequencing to Detect Variants

Article
1/5/2023
Military medical personnel in laboratory

A connected family of laboratories across the MHS allows a more rapid response to the outbreak.

Whole Genome Sequencing at Tripler Army Medical Center

Article
12/29/2022
Dr. Keith Fong reviews data with other lab technicians

The third installment in a 6-part series highlighting the efforts of the Military Health System laboratories and the technicians who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Implements SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing

Article
12/23/2022
Military medical personnel in laboratory

This is the second article in a 6-part series that highlights the work of technicians and scientists in Military Health System laboratories who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Military Labs Use Whole Genome Sequencing of COVID-19 Variants

Article
12/16/2022
Lab technician at work

The first in a 6-part series highlighting the work of technicians and scientists working in support of the MHS who identified COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

DOD Reduces Health Care Waste by Reusing Crutches

Article
12/15/2022
Military personnel using crutches

When military facilities faced a national shortage of an essential mobility aid, they launched a grassroots initiative that not only ensured patient care, but also created a new waste reduction model within the DHA.

Flu Season’s Here: You Still Can Get Your Flu Shot for Protection

Article
12/12/2022
Flu Week Infographic

It’s not too late to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19.

Time to Get Your Flu Shot and Your COVID-19 Booster, Too

Article
10/14/2022
Senior MHS officials and medics from the Pentagon stand together Oct. 13 after receiving their flu shots and bivalent COVID-19 boosters.."

It's flu shot time. Get your COVID-19 booster at the same time.

Prevent the Spread of Influenza and COVID-19 Viruses Within Your Community

Article
10/11/2022
A person getting an injection on their arm.

As families return from summer vacation and students return to school, the influenza (flu) season is approaching while the COVID-19 pandemic is still on-going.

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for 12 to 17 Year-Olds

Article
8/30/2022
Air Force Staff. Sgt. fills a syringe with a COVID-19 vaccine at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine is Available for Those 12 Years' Old and Above

New COVID-19 Boosters Against Subvariants Coming Soon

Article
8/29/2022
Marine on right gets a COVID-19 booster vaccination from a nursing student on his left.

Brooklyn Marine gets COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Page 1 of 15 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > Last 
Refine your search

What's Trending

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