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

Military health personnel wearing a face mask administering the COVID-19 vaccine

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

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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.

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