U.S. Army offers COVID-19 vaccination to local nationals

By Julian TembladorMay 13, 2021

USO Bavaria & American Red Cross assist USAG-Bavaria during Vaccination drive
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – USO Bavaria and American Red Cross volunteers provide snacks and drinks during a vaccination drive at the Rose Barracks Multi-Purpose Center on May 4, 2021. (Photo Credit: Julian Temblador) VIEW ORIGINAL
Hubert Graser poses for a photo
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Hubert Graser, a Supply tech for the 7ATC Property Book Office, poses for a photo during a vaccination drive at the Rose Barracks Multi-Purpose Center on May 4, 2021. (Photo Credit: Julian Temblador) VIEW ORIGINAL
A local national receives the COVID-19 vaccine from the U.S. Army
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A local national receives a vaccine from a U.S. Army medical professional at the Rose Barracks Multi-Purpose Center on May 4, 2021. (Photo Credit: Julian Temblador) VIEW ORIGINAL
Breslin Gillis hands COVID-19 Vaccine to soldier.
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Breslin Gillis (left) hands the Janssen COVID vaccine to a medical professional during a vaccination event at the Rose Barracks Multi-Purpose Center on May 4, 2021. (Photo Credit: Julian Temblador) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army offers COVID-19 vaccine to local nationals
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – MEDDAC Bavaria, in collaboration with U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, 7th Army Training Command, and the tenant units within the USAG Bavaria footprint, conducted a COVID-19 Vaccination drive on May 4 at the Multi-Purpose Center on Rose Barracks. (Photo Credit: Julian Temblador) VIEW ORIGINAL
Local nationals wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccines
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Local nationals wait in line to receive the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine on May 4, 2021, at the Rose Barracks Multi-Purpose Center. (Photo Credit: Julian Temblador) VIEW ORIGINAL

U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Bavaria, in collaboration with U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, 7th Army Training Command and the tenant units within the USAG Bavaria footprint, conducted a weeklong COVID-19 Vaccination drive starting on May 3, 2021, at the Multi-Purpose Center on Rose Barracks.

According to U.S. Army health officials, the ongoing vaccination drive has been a success.

Lt. Col. Sarah Eccleston, commander of U.S. Army Health Clinic Vilseck, stated that this event required great collaboration between the tenant units within the USAG Bavaria footprint.

Breslin Gillis, a clinical nurse and officer in charge at the Vilseck Health Clinic, and her team — comprised of volunteers and medical professionals from all over the USAG Bavaria footprint — played a vital role in the drive’s success.

“We draw the Janssen vaccine so that they can be administered by the vaccinators. It’s a really good process we have here,” Gillis said. “Especially now, since we can now offer vaccines to local nationals. We’ve had a really good turn out from them.”

Offering the vaccines to local national employees was no small feat.

During the last few months, U.S. Army leaders in Bavaria have been working with the German government and the Bavarian works council to devise a plan to provide the vaccines to local national employees.

“We’ve been waiting months for the approval to get our local nationals the vaccine,” said Eccleston. “It’s a big win. We work alongside local nationals every day. We’re glad we’re able to offer the vaccinations to them today.”

The drive event opened up to local nationals on Tuesday, May 4.

Hubert Graser, a supply technician for the 7ATC Property Book Office, was one of the many local nationals to get the vaccine from the U.S.

“Everything was easy. I filled out a few forms and waited in line.” Graser said. “I saw a lot of people waiting outside, but it went by fast. I want to say thank you to the U.S. Army for offering this.”

USAG Bavaria garrison commander Col. Christopher Danbeck also made statements on the joint effort.

“It’s a collaboration,” said Danbeck. “Besides the logistics and physical messaging, we also had our mission partners — USO Bavaria and American Red Cross — at the drive making people more comfortable while they waited for 15 minutes after their shots.”

Kate Woodward, a volunteer for USO Bavaria, was one of the many volunteers who helped make the vaccination drive a success.

“We are here today providing everyone who has gotten the vaccine with snacks and drinks,” said Woodward. “It’s just something to put a smile on their face and let them know we appreciate them.”