U.S. Marine Corps and Navy personnel received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Iwakuni Naval Family Branch Clinic at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, on Jan. 26. 
 
The Department of Defense’s COVID-19 vaccination plan is phase driven and designed to protect members within the DOD from COVID-19 as quickly and safely as possible in order to bolster mission readiness and enhance capabilities of DOD members worldwide. 
 
“Our first wave of vaccines are offered to medical personnel and first responders identified by the DOD’s COVID-19 vaccination plan,” said Colonel Lance Lewis, the commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni. “Our initial priority is ensuring we protect those who are on the front lines of responding to medical emergencies.” 
 
Lewis explained that the vaccine is currently optional for service members, but highly encouraged. When given the opportunity, medical personnel recommend receiving the vaccine to protect fellow service members and the general population. 
 
Vaccines for COVID-19 are only available after they are demonstrated to be safe and effective in large phase-three clinical trials, have been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and have been manufactured and distributed safely and securely. 
 
“I’m confident in the process and I plan to receive the vaccine,” said Lewis. 
 
MCAS Iwakuni is home to Marine Air Group-12, Carrier Air Wing FIVE, Fleet Air Wing 31 of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, and multiple other tenant commands in support of regional security and the U.S-Japan alliance. 
 
Photos and video are available from the link below. The photos are attributed to the U.S. Marine Corps. https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCAS-I