Flu, COVID shots available at vaccine POD

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Officials from the 66th Medical Squadron will offer influenza and COVID vaccinations during a point of distribution at the Youth Center here Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The flu shot and both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent COVID booster doses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for all eligible personnel 12 and older including service members, dependents, federal civilians, defense contractors, and retirees.

The pediatric COVID booster doses are currently unavailable here.

“We are recommending individuals get COVID booster shots, especially if they plan to visit family or travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, when cases typically spike,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Gough, 66 MDS public health emergency officer.

While the flu shot is mandatory for all active-duty members, the COVID booster is voluntary at this time.

“It is safe for members to receive both the flu and COVID booster doses at the same time,” said Gough.   

The Immunization Clinic here will be closed Nov. 9 to facilitate the POD, but MDS officials will continue administering the Moderna vaccine every Monday and the Pfizer vaccine every Wednesday and Friday.

Appointments for the Immunization Clinic are required and can be made at https://informatics-stage.health.mil/COVAX/. No appointments need to be made for the POD. The clinic continues to offer the initial COVID-19 vaccine series and boosters as well as the Novavax vaccine.

“We’re hoping to see as many people at the POD as possible to keep our population safe and healthy through the holiday season,” said Gough.

For additional information, personnel can contact Hanscom Public Health at usaf.hanscom.66-abg.list.publichealth@health.mil.