Reserve Senior Leaders Receive COVID-19 Vaccination

Air Force Reserve Command’s commander and command chief master sergeant received their first of two COVID-19 vaccination shots here today.

Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, AFRC commander and chief of the Air Force Reserve, and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, AFRC’s command chief and Scobee’s senior enlisted advisor, rolled up their sleeves at the base medical facility. They will receive their second vaccination shot next month.

“I highly encourage our Reserve Citizen Airmen and their families to get the COVID-19 vaccine when available,” Scobee said. “Getting the vaccine will help us protect ourselves, our families and our fellow Americans against this virus and help ensure our continued readiness for our mission.”

“Getting the vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic,” White said. “The combination of getting vaccinated along with continuing to wear a mask and practicing safe social distancing offers the best protection from COVID-19.”

Many Reserve Citizen Airmen, including a host of medical and other front line workers, have started receiving their vaccine through civilian channels. Vaccine availability for other Reservists is expected to increase in the months ahead.

“All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be safe and highly effective at preventing COVID-19,” said Lt. Col. Jessica Dees, AFRC’s public health officer. “Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available, including receiving the vaccination. Vaccines work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.”

Reservists who are vaccination in their civilian capacities should provide documentation to the servicing medial unit to update in Aeromedical Services Information Management System (ASIMS), the Air Force immunization data base.

For the most up-to-date information on the vaccine for Reservists, go to https://www.afrc.af.mil/COVID-19/.