An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Local News | Nov. 5, 2021

Defense Logistics Agency Ships Vaccines for Children Overseas

The Defense Logistics Agency is receiving, packing and shipping pediatric doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine overseas for children, ages 5 to 11, of Defense Department personnel.

Orders for 30,900 doses have already been placed by military treatment facilities in the U.S. European, Central and Indo-Pacific Commands. The vaccines are being packed and shipped from DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, to 18 locations that have been processing vaccines since the agency began distributing them for older populations in December.

 

Aman wearing a mask puts vaccine kits in a box.

 

Pfizer vaccines for the 5 to 11 age group are smaller doses than those given to other ages and can be shipped at either 2 to 8 degrees Celsius or minus 90 to minus 60 degrees Celsius. DLA will ship at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and include ancillary kits with smaller syringes and needles for administering the vaccine to children.

Navy Cmdr. Mark Rozzell, who leads vaccine operations for DLA Distribution, said challenges — including customs clearance and identifying which locations can receive and further distribute the vaccine — have already been overcome since DLA distributed the adult Pfizer vaccine.

"We also have well-defined, cold-chain management practices in place and strong cold-chain support through the medical team at DLA Troop Support," he added. "DLA Troop Support has done an outstanding job coordinating with the MTFs [military treatment facilities] to ensure the vaccines are delivered at the proper temperature in addition to being properly stored."

 

A small forklift is used to unload boxes from a van.

 

 The agency has so far shipped 844,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for DOD employees stationed outside the continental U.S. and the deployed U.S. Navy fleet. It began shipping vaccines in mid-May for 12- to 17-year-olds.

Even after 10 months of vaccine shipments, the agency shipped more than 5,700 adult doses during the week of Oct. 25. Though some of those were booster shots, many were for employees aiming to meet the Nov. 22 deadline for federal employees to be fully vaccinated, said Army Col. Anthony Bostick, DLA headquarters' vaccination distribution lead.

"At the same time, MTFs are ordering flu vaccines. We're shipping those and providing 13 other vaccines, which include flu and coronavirus vaccines, for Afghan refugees," he said. 

 

A service member administers an injection into someone's arm.

 

DLA distribution staff members are prepared to handle first and second doses for children while continuing to support adult COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and the flu vaccine, Rozzell added.

"The vaccine mission isn't going away any time soon because studies are showing these vaccines wane over time whether it’s the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson version," Bostick continued. "It'll probably become another annual vaccination just like we have with the flu, which we’ve been doing successfully for over 20 years."

Female doctor examines patient with stethoscope

Patients Rank DHN Central Clinics, Providers ‘Be...

Local News
Dec. 19, 2024

Patients have ranked more than two dozen Defense Health Network Central clinics and providers as the “best of...
Read More
Auditorium full of uniformed service members.

Graduate Medical Education Selection Board Stren...

Local News
Dec. 10, 2024

More than 500 healthcare leaders from around the Military Health System worldwide conducted the annual Joint...
Read More
Three uniformed service members and four civilians in suits stand in front of projector screen.

Defense Health Agency’s Virtual Education Center...

Local News
Dec. 03, 2024

The Defense Health Agency’s Virtual Education Center, managed by the DHA Medical Simulation and Training...
Read More
DHN-NCR Enrollment Graphic

The Defense Health Network – National Capital Re...

Local News
Nov. 21, 2024

The Defense Health Network – National Capital Region is proud to announce the launch of the Defense Health...
Read More
Senior wearing face mask leans over and types on keyboard.

Section 508 Accessibility Empowers Patients To M...

Local News
Oct. 31, 2024

Defense Health Agency Section 508 digital accessibility and usability law update given by office program...
Read More
Medical mannequin lays on table while two conference attendees talk over it.

Medical Leaders Provide Update on DOD's Health C...

Local News
Oct. 15, 2024

All service members and their families deserve quality care, better access to treatment centers, health care...
Read More
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Tanya Johnson stand on a stage in front of a table and address audience.

Defense Health Agency Leaders Empowered to Lead ...

Local News
Oct. 08, 2024

DHA Network directors and leadership teams from military hospitals and clinics from across the globe, along...
Read More
Woman wearing Army t-shirt holds weight. Text reads, "NO PAIN NO GAIN MYTHS: DHA Public Health."

Military Health Expert Clarifies ‘No Pain No Gai...

Local News
Sep. 30, 2024

Department of Defense active duty service members require medical treatment for injuries almost 5 million...
Read More

Dec. 19, 2024

Patients Rank DHN Central Clinics, Providers ‘Best of the Best’

Patients have ranked more than two dozen Defense Health Network Central clinics and providers as the “best of the best” in the Military Health System for patient experience and customer care, according to a recent Joint Outpatient Experience Survey quarterly report.

Dec. 10, 2024

Graduate Medical Education Selection Board Strengthens Military Medical Workforce

More than 500 healthcare leaders from around the Military Health System worldwide conducted the annual Joint Graduate Medical Education Selection Board at the Uniformed Services University from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22 to determine the future career paths of medical students and physicians applying for advanced training.

Dec. 3, 2024

Defense Health Agency’s Virtual Education Center Wins 2024 Digital Health Transformation Award

The Defense Health Agency’s Virtual Education Center, managed by the DHA Medical Simulation and Training Program Management Office, was awarded a 2024 GOVTECH CONNECTS Digital Health Transformation Award.

Nov. 21, 2024

Launch of New Model of Care and Enhanced TRICARE Prime Enrollment in the National Capital Region

The Defense Health Network – National Capital Region is proud to announce the launch of the Defense Health Agency’s innovative New Model of Care, starting with My Military Health Scheduled Virtual Visits. Alongside, we are also excited to reveal significant expansions in TRICARE Prime enrollment capacities across our facilities. The My Military Health care model ushers in a transformative era in healthcare delivery within the DHN-NCR. This groundbreaking approach is person-centric, utilizing cutting-edge digital tools to improve health outcomes and make healthcare more efficient and accessible.

Oct. 31, 2024

Section 508 Accessibility Empowers Patients To Manage Care

Defense Health Agency Section 508 digital accessibility and usability law update given by office program manager Ghoston.

Oct. 15, 2024

Medical Leaders Provide Update on DOD's Health Care Focus

All service members and their families deserve quality care, better access to treatment centers, health care providers and mental and physical well-being, the director of the Defense Health Agency said.

Oct. 8, 2024

Defense Health Agency Leaders Empowered to Lead Transformative Change to Improve Patient Experience

DHA Network directors and leadership teams from military hospitals and clinics from across the globe, along with DHA headquarters subject matter experts—participated in the symposium, designed to provide health care leaders with realistic solutions to their local challenges.

Sept. 30, 2024

Military Health Expert Clarifies ‘No Pain No Gain’ Workout Myths

Department of Defense active duty service members require medical treatment for injuries almost 5 million times each year (for around 1.5 million individual injuries). Injuries cost millions of lost duty and training days, and billions of dollars each year.

Sept. 12, 2024

Defense Health Agency Medical Logistics Team Maintains Supply Chain Ensuring Quality Health Care Delivery

MEDLOG is a premier shared service provider promoting uniformity, efficiency, and joint interoperability of defense medical materiel programs and products required for Military Health System institutional and operational elements in support of the full range of military operations.

Sept. 4, 2024

Ask the Doc: What Are Ways To Protect My Mental Health?

Our mental health expert, U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Meghan Corso, chief of behavioral health clinical operations at the Defense Health Agency, answers a Dear Doc question on ways to protect your mental health.