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.”
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