JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- All active duty Air Force personnel currently assigned to Joint Base San Antonio must receive their initial COVID-19 vaccine dose by Sept. 28, per an order signed Sept. 14 by 502nd Air Base Wing and JBSA Commander Brig. Gen. Caroline Miller.
The order follows the Aug. 24 Secretary of Defense mandate for members of the Armed Forces to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, along with Sept. 3 Department of the Air Force guidance directing all active duty Airmen and Guardians to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 2, and all Ready Reserve members be fully vaccinated by Dec. 2.
Per Miller’s order, individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are ordered to receive an initial dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with full licensure approval from the Food and Drug Administration and provide proof to their commander by Sept. 28.
Additionally, individuals are ordered to receive the second dose of the same vaccine and provide proof to their commander by Oct. 19.
Individuals who previously received the completed vaccination series, but whose military medical records do not reflect it, are required to provide proof of vaccination to their commander by Sept. 30. Individuals with a completed request for a religious accommodation or proof of a medical exemption approved by a military medical provider must also provide proof to their commander by Sept. 30.
“The benefits of vaccination are clear – it provides a safe and effective approach to the global fight against COVID-19,” Miller said. “We are committed to maintaining the health, welfare and readiness of our Total Force. This is a necessary step in doing so.
“I encourage everyone to get your vaccine as soon as possible. The ultimate goal is to ensure we are mission-ready. Please discuss any concerns you have about the vaccine with a medical provider or your leadership team,” she said.
Mandatory vaccination through a military provider will initially only include the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19® vaccine (widely referred to as “Comirnaty®”), which is currently the only vaccine approved by the FDA. Airmen and Guardians may continue to volunteer to receive the COVID-19 vaccines approved under Emergency Use Authorization, including Moderna, Janssen and AstraZeneca, from both military and civilian providers.
Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center offer the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine to all Department of Defense beneficiaries ages 12 and older at the following sites:
BAMC Training Support Center, 2536 Garden Ave., JBSA-Fort Sam Houston
Vaccination hours: Monday through Friday by appointment
Walk-in hours: Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, 1100 Wilford Hall Loop, JBSA-Lackland
Vaccination hours: Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m
Walk-in hours: Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beneficiaries can make a same-day appointment on TRICARE Online or by calling the appointment line at 210-916-9900.
Additional information and FAQ about the Air Force mandatory COVID-19 vaccine implementation are available at: https://go.usa.gov/xMDMr
Vaccination deadlines are set for Army, Navy and Marine Corps personnel as well.
Active duty Army members are required to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15, and Reserve and National Guard members by June 30, 2022.
Active duty Navy and Marine Corps members are required to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 28, and Reserve members by Dec. 28.
Joint service personnel assigned to Joint Base San Antonio should reach out to their respective leadership for questions, concerns or further guidance.