Pfc. Ethan Van Veldhuizen, a combat medic specialist assigned to 25th Infantry Division, administers a COVID-19 Vaccine in support of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) COVID-19 Vaccination team at a vaccination clinic held at the University of Guam Calvo Field House. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class MacAdam Kane Weissman)
"I have nothing but respect and admiration for what these Soldiers have done and continue to do," said Navy Rear Adm. John Menoni, commander, Joint Region Marianas. "They showed up and instantly pitched into the fight against COVID-19, directly contributing to Guam's push toward its 50% and 80% immunization benchmarks."
DPHSS and the Guam National Guard began vaccinations at UOG in January, initially vaccinating hundreds of people daily. The Hawaii-based Army medical team has already helped maintain a daily vaccination rate of more than 2,000 doses in the critical weeks before the May 1 goal.
"We are so happy to have them here," said Army Capt. Denise Chargualaf, commander, Task Force Medical, Joint Task Force 671, Guam National Guard. "With the 25th team now onboard, they have dramatically increased our numbers of vaccinations given. It's has been so smooth with them. It's almost like they've been here with us since January when we started Operation Liberate Guam."
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, through U.S. Army Pacific, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.