Mask guidelines updated for vaccinated persons
Base officials announced that, effective immediately, fully vaccinated personnel here who are at least 14 days beyond their final dose are no longer required to wear facial coverings indoors or outdoors. Read the full declaration here.
Pfizer vaccine approved for children 12 to 15
The 66th Medical Squadron is approved to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to people ages 12 to 15, following its emergency use authorization approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this month. Read the full declaration here.
FSS Youth programs continue support to Hanscom families
Specialists from the 66th Force Support Squadron are working to develop the next steps in child care availability across the installation. Officials from the Child Development Center and School Age programs here are coordinating with public health officials to slowly increase capacity while still maintaining COVID-19 precautions. Read the full declaration here.
Installation commander extends Public Health Emergency Declaration
Col. Katrina Stephens, installation commander, has extended the Public Health Emergency for 90 days following the recommendation of the 66th Medical Squadron. Read the full declaration here.
Vaccines appointments available at MDS facilities
The 66th Medical Squadron here has increased availability of COVID vaccine appointments for personnel with a valid Department of Defense identification card. Currently, appointments are available for both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Read the full article here.
Hanscom transitions to Tier 2 vaccine eligibility
Hanscom has expanded vaccine registration eligibility to include all base personnel in Tiers 1 and 2 as defined by the Department of Defense prioritization schema. All eligible, unvaccinated individuals with a valid DOD identification card can now schedule COVID-19 vaccinations through the Defense Health Agency Appointing Portal. Read the full article here.
DHA Appointing Portal available to schedule COVID vaccines
Service members, Air Force civilian employees and TRICARE beneficiaries can now schedule COVID-19 vaccinations through the Defense Health Agency Appointing Portal. The portal can be accessed at informatics-stage.health.mil/COVAX/, and officials from the 66th Medical Squadron said Hanscom personnel should be able to begin scheduling first and second vaccine doses this month. Instructions to assist eligible personnel can be downloaded here. Read the full article here.
MDS, CAT prepare COVID vaccine appointment portal
Officials from the 66th Medical Squadron will soon offer a COVID vaccination appointment tool to the base population. Read the full article here.
Indoor, outdoor capacity restrictions ease for Commonwealth, Hanscom
Base officials announced they will ease some indoor and outdoor capacity limits here consistent with state guidelines effective March 22. Read the full article here.
VA Bedford makes COVID vaccine available to all enrolled veterans
[Veterans Affairs] Bedford Healthcare System in Bedford, Massachusetts, officials announced this week that COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has expanded to include all veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, regardless of age. Read the full article here.
Commonwealth vaccine eligibility, base travel policy updated
The Commonwealth has expanded vaccine eligibility to persons included in Phases 1 and portions of Phase 2 of the Massachusetts vaccination plan. Read the full article here.
Public Health updates COVID vaccine status
Health professionals from the 66th Medical Squadron offered additional insight to Hanscom's ongoing COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan during a virtual town hall here Feb. 10. A list of questions and answers from this town hall session is located here. Read the full article here.
AFMC incorporates civilian personnel into existing COVID-19 surveillance testing
Air Force Materiel Command expanded its COVID-19 surveillance testing to civilian personnel at four bases including Hanscom. Testing at Hanscom is slated to begin Feb. 19. Read the full article here.
Base leaders supplement SecDef mask policy
Senior leaders here updated the installation policy for workplace handwashing, facial coverings, cleaning and social distancing via a memo distributed Feb. 8. Read the full article here.
Public Health discusses COVID-19 vaccine status during virtual town hall
Base leaders hosted a virtual town hall to discuss Hanscom’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination distribution plan here Feb 4. During the one-hour session, Public Health officials fielded questions about vaccine recipient eligibility as outlined in the Department of Defense prioritization schema. A complete list of questions and answers from this session is available here. Slides from the session are available here. Read the full article here.
Limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine arrives at Hanscom
The 66th Medical Squadron began administering a limited supply of the COVID vaccine today to first responders and front-line medical personnel as outlined by the Department of Defense distribution plan. Read more here.
Hanscom preparing for DOD vaccination distribution
As the Department of Defense commences COVID-19 vaccination distribution and delivery, the 66th Medical Squadron here is planning to implement it on the local level. Read more here.
Season of limited-size gatherings
Public Health officials from the 66th Medical Squadron recommend personnel modify holiday celebrations in accordance with national and state guidelines. Read more here.
Fitness Center opens immunocompromised room, fitness bubble
The Hanscom Fitness and Sports Center has designated space for immunocompromised patrons to workout and opened the fitness bubble for group PT sessions. Read more here.
MDS arms community to battle COVID fatigue
Officials from the 66th Medical Squadron encourage the base community to remain vigilant in the battle against COVID-19 as state guidance updates. Read more here.
Commander announces new Phase 2C, transition date
Hanscom Air Force Base plans to move into Phase 2C of the multiphase Return to Full Capacity Aug. 31. Officials say the added phase will further bridge the gap between Phases 2B and 3, and will facilitate another expansion of installation access and available services. Read more here.
Fitness Center opens with restrictions in Phase 2A
The Hanscom Fitness and Sports Center will be reopening only to active-duty military and Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders during Phase 2A of the multiphase Return to Full Capacity. Read more about this here.
The Hanscom Resilience Cell has been created to virtually connect our total Hanscom community and to help manage and respond to the challenges of COVID-19 and physical distancing. Learn more by visiting their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HanscomCSC/ or email HanscomResilienceCell@gmail.com with questions, ideas, concerns and needs.
Hanscom plans to follow a cautious, multi-phased approach.
Face coverings required where physical distancing is not possible, indoors and outdoors.
Facilities that cannot operate safely with safeguards in place will remain closed or operationally limited.
Those successfully teleworking right now would be encouraged to continue doing so.
Frequent and thorough hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand rubs is essential.
Actively encourage sick employees to stay home.
Discourage workers from using other employees’ phones, desks, offices, etc.
Maintain best housekeeping practices, including frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, equipment and work spaces.
Employees should self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Restrict the number of personnel entering isolation areas.
Minimize contact among workers, clients and customers by replacing face-to-face meetings with virtual comm, when possible.
CLEANING/DISINFECTION OF OFFICES As a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings, the 66th Medical Squadron currently recommends workplace cleaning procedures outline in Center for Disease Control guidelines found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html.
** Please click each question to see the response. **
A. If possible to do so safely (i.e., from a reasonable distance) you can ask them to disperse or cease the activity. If that doesn’t work and you know any of the parents and feel you can engage them calmly to alert them, that is another option. However if neither of those options is feasible or successful, you may always contact the Law Enforcement Desk, and our Security Forces will look into the matter and take any necessary actions to ensure our collective safety. At no time should anyone “take matters into their own hands” and try to correct the behavior through any sort of forceful or physical means.
A: Air Force guidance says that face coverings in uniform should be conservative, professional and in keeping with dignity and respect. Examples would be black, tan, olive or other colors that are within the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) or Operation Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms. At this time, uniformity is less important than wearing some sort of face covering to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The U.S. Army Public Health Center provided specific actions for individuals recommended at each Health Protection Condition (HPCON) level. Monitoring of employees and customer’s temperatures are not recommended until HPCON Delta. Hanscom Public Health will continue working closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and AFMC in case they come out with different recommendations.
Yes, it can be done, but for right now it is not recommended. The current control measures and precautions that Public Health recommended are the ones that are more beneficial (enforcing hand washing, minimizing on premise dining, etc.). PH continues to do food sanitation and safety walk-throughs at the facilities providing services to the base population.
Signage will be posted at the base entrance letting people know if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms related to the disease that they should go home. Also, the Secretary of Defense released guidance on April 5 for use of face coverings. N95’s or surgical masks are not recommended for general population.
Face coverings must be worn in all public areas where social distancing alone cannot be maintained to include the Commissary, Base Exchange, Shoppette/Class Six or any areas where significant community-based transmission could occur on the installation. Individuals in work centers who share an office should wear the mask into the office and throughout the day when commuting in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
A: Please refer to the base COVID 19 page at https://www.hanscom.af.mil/Coronavirus/ for details on base access and point of contacts for CAC issuance customer service.
Q: (continued) I am assuming that most aspects of directorates are allowing people to telework, but in those areas where people cannot telework, the Clinic, CE, fire department, and SFS, it would help to put patients/employee/military at ease a bit more if there is visible evidence that the base is trying to do the best that it can to help control infections.
A: The base does not have an emergency fund to increase contracted custodial service. While we continue to consider realigning custodial service frequencies, we are weighing the benefits of increased cleaning with the risks of introducing additional building visits to confined spaces like restrooms where social distancing can be a challenging. As you may be aware, according to the CDC, “Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented.“ Nevertheless, last week the custodial contractor began to exclusively use an anti-viral cleaning solution on all surfaces, instead of reserving its use for frequently touched surfaces. Finally, as a side note, neither the clinic or the Fire Department are serviced by the base custodial contractor and both of these critical functions have implemented measures to prevent viral spread without introducing additional risk. We will continue to evaluate risks and benefits of increased custodial service with the health and safety of Hanscom personnel as our top priority.
A: Individuals returning from international travel are placed in quarantine to monitor for symptoms for 14 days to protect the base and community. Testing without symptoms is not recommended at this time by the CDC. Hanscom AFB COVID-19 testing is aligned with the CDC and Massachusetts DPH protocols which is risk stratified. As the type of testing and availability increases, strategies and guidance will likely be updated. We continue to monitor this closely to implement any changes.
A: Foreign National (FN) visitors must be identity-proofed, vetted, have a valid need to access the installation, and be issued an installation access credential. This policy encompasses all HAFB assigned and tenant organizations, to include MIT Lincoln Laboratory and Massachusetts National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. Contact 66 SFS at 781-225-5614 three duty days prior to the arrival of the FN visitor to determine documentation required for the visit and to prevent extended wait times for processing. For further information, contact Security Forces at 781-225-5614.
A: If the prescription is activated via TRICARE Online the prescription will be ready for pick up in three duty days. If it is activated via the Pharmacy Line, pharmacy staff will let them know when it will be ready. You do not need to make an appointment to pick up prescriptions.
Visit for a list of archived questions: https://www.hanscom.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/2127502/covid-19-qa-archive/.
DoD Vaccine Distribution Schema
COVID Vaccine: FAQs
Keep up with COVID-19 updates by following the 66th Medical Squadron on Facebook. COVID-19 questions can be addressed to the Public Health office at 781-225-6295 or by email at usaf.hanscom.66-abg.list.publichealth@mail.mil.
Hanscom AFB Clinic
Due to COVID-19, all services at the clinic require scheduling, including those that have previously been provided on a walk-in basis (for example, lab, immunizations, medical records, etc.). Call 781-225-6789 to be connected to the appropriate section before coming to Hanscom Clinic.
Calling ahead for pharmacy prescriptions by calling 781-225-6173 is encouraged. This will minimize your wait time at the pharmacy. The Hanscom Clinic Pharmacy hours of operation to 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Beneficiaries who rely on the Hanscom Clinic for primary care should contact the clinic at 781-225-6789 if they are experiencing symptoms or have specific concerns they believe might be related to COVID-19. Base personnel who are not enrolled to Hanscom Clinic should contact their primary care provider with health-related questions and concerns.
World Health Organization
Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
DOD Response
What the Government is Doing
Air Force Response
Massachusetts Response
Bedford Response
Hanscom AFB Facebook Page
Stop Movement for all Domestic Travel Policy Letter
Travel Restrictions FAQs
Memo to Contractors
COVID-19 HFCU Member Notice
TRICARE COVID-19 Toolkit
HR Flexibilities Guidance
DCPAS Emergency Preparedness
myPers
OPM Memorandum
CDC Recommends The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including: