Andersen Air Force Base receives COVID-19 Vaccine doses, begins distribution

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Crystal Guevara, 36th Medical Group allergy immunization technician, fills a need with a COVID-19 vaccination on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 21, 2021. In situations when there is good scientific reason to believe that a product is safe and is likely to treat or prevent disease, the FDA may authorize its emergency use under specific circumstances. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)

Andersen continues COVID vaccine distribution

Published April 14, 2021
By 36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

At the recommendation of the FDA and CDC, the Department of Defense is immediately pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

“The safety of our force and their families is a top priority,” said Col. Rob Alford, commander of the 36th Medical Group. “Less than 20 Andersen service members were administered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. MDG staff will be reaching out to each recipient to provide guidance and answer any questions they may have.”

People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.

The pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is expected to have little impact on Andersen’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.

“The MDG has enough Moderna vaccines on-hand to vaccinate Andersen personnel and beneficiaries who wish to receive it,” said Alford. “Those wishing to receive the vaccine can still book their appointment via tricareonline.com.”

Andersen will continue to vaccinate members in Tier 2, which includes all Active Duty, civilians, retirees, dependents, and eligible DoD contractors on Andersen AFB.

For information regarding Naval Hospital Guam and Guam’s DPHSS vaccine distribution, please visit: https://guam.tricare.mil and https://dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-vaccinations/.

For the most current COVID-19 information, please follow Andersen Air Force Base on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Andersen36WG or visit www.andersen.af.mil