DOD releases phased COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for service members

The Department of Defense yesterday announced a phased plan for the distribution and administration of initial and subsequent COVID-19 vaccine allocations to populations of DoD uniformed service members, including members of the National Guard; dependents; retirees; civilian employees; and select DoD contract personnel as authorized in accordance with agency regulation.

DOD said that due to limited availability of initial vaccine doses, 12 sites in the continental U.S. and four outside were identified by the agency’s COVID Task Force based on the following criteria:

• anticipated supply chain requirements for initially approved vaccines (i.e. ultra-cold, bulk storage facility);
• local population of at least 1,000 priority personnel across the military services to facilitate rapid vaccine administration; and
• sufficient necessary medical personnel to administer vaccines and actively monitor vaccine recipients after initial and second-dose administration.

In support of this plan, DOD also released its vaccine distribution plan and population schema.