How a new vaccine is developed, approved and manufactured
Vaccine candidates are being offered through an Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. Getting the vaccine protects yourself, your family, your community and our nation.
The Department of Defense is implementing a standardized and coordinated strategy for prioritizing, distributing, and administering a COVID-19 vaccine(s) through a phased approach to DoD uniformed service members, both the active and Selected Reserve components, including members of the National Guard; dependents; retirees; civilian employees, and selected DoD contract personnel as authorized in accordance with DoD regulation.
For clinical information on the DoD Vaccination Program visit the Defense Health Agency website.
Dear Colleagues,
A month ago, I shared the initial launch of the DoD Coronavirus Vaccination Program for your awareness. In a few short weeks, the department has made great progress towards the goal of providing a vaccine to every DoD employee who requests one in accordance with established priorities. As you know, military installations around the world are now vaccinating personnel, and many DoDEA employees have already had the opportunity to receive the first dose.
I promised to share additional information as it became available. Attached is a fact sheet to update you on recent progress and to outline the DoDEA employee reporting requirements. The reporting requirement enables DoDEA leaders to manage the vaccination process for their respective schools/offices to ensure all employees have an equal opportunity to participate. Employees who elect not to participate will not be treated any differently in the workplace from those employees who choose to participate.
Each of us must make personal choices about the vaccine based on our health and other life factors. Scientists and medical personnel tell us that the vaccine exponentially increases our ability to defeat this pandemic. That is important food for thought as the virus continues to cause major disruptions to our way of life.
Our school level educators and support staff are frontline employees in critical roles. The vaccine not only provides protection for their individual health, but it collectively protects the greater school community. When there is an opportunity to get the vaccine at our headquarters, I’ll be in line with my HQ colleagues to get the shot.
As always, I extend my sincere appreciation to each of you for your continued dedication and efforts to provide continuity of education to our military families under extraordinary circumstances.
Thomas M. Brady
Director
It is anticipated there will initially be a limited supply of a COVID-19 vaccine in DoD communities. DoD officials have identified DoDEA employees in priority group 1b.3 – “Other critical and essential support personnel not identified in Priority Group 1a” -- for the vaccine.
At this time, DoDEA students are not included in the initial DoD Vaccination Plan. A COVID-19 vaccine for children may not be available until more study data are completed.
How a new vaccine is developed, approved and manufactured
How a vaccine's safety continues to be monitored