An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
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.

News | May 18, 2021

Total Force Medics Help Support FEMA in Vaccine Efforts

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- As of April 29, approximately 1.5 million people worldwide have tested positive for COVID-19, making vaccination efforts more crucial than ever.

A team of approx. 140 Airmen from 24 bases spread throughout the U.S. have come together in St. Paul, Minn., to help support the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the effort to vaccinate Americans from COVID-19.

The St. Paul Community Vaccination Center is responsible for about 3,000 vaccinations daily.

“The CVC is crucial to the COVID-19 vaccine effort because it brings vaccines to areas of the country that are hardest hit by COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ballak, 64th Air Expeditionary Group detachment 3 commander. “The CVC allows us to bring vaccines to people who may not be able to or otherwise have the means to get the vaccine.”

Although the center opened less than a month ago, the total-force team has already vaccinated over 38,000 community members as of April 28, 2021.

“I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to lead Airmen from 24 bases across the US,” said Ballak. “It is certainly a challenge to bring 135 Airmen together and have them operate as a team in such a short period of time. It’s truly a testament to the professionalism of our Airmen to come together as strangers, focus on the mission and get the job done. Being the commander of such an amazing team is certainly the highlight of my career.”

There are currently 39 other vaccination sites located in 19 states, not including the CVC now held in St. Paul. Keeping these centers up and running takes many Airmen from different Air Force Specialty Codes, including maintenance, weather and communications.

“The medics are our linchpins in this process, but the countless other AFSCs supporting this site are instrumental in many other roles that allow our medical team to deliver those vaccines,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Timothy Lenker, 64th Air Expeditionary Group detachment 3 first sergeant.

The medics have also been working with several agencies since setting up the CVC to include the Minnesota Department of Health and other emergency management teams.

In a press release Tim Walz, Minnesota state governor, said that the vaccination site will receive 168,000 doses over the course of eight weeks. These doses will, in turn, lead to more than 100,000 total people being vaccinated.

“Being a young Airman only two years into my career as a mental health technician and having the opportunity to support the COVID-19 vaccine mission is very humbling,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shelby Diedrich, 22nd Healthcare Operations Squadron mental health technician. “It means a lot to me knowing we are making a difference in hopefully bringing back some normalcy since the start of the pandemic.”

The CVC will continue to serve the St. Paul community by administering vaccines for weeks to come. For more information about the CVC, please visit the Federally Supported Community Vaccination Centers.
Dentist works on patient's teeth

TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Decrease Effecti...

News
Oct. 30, 2024

If you’re enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your TDP monthly premiums will decrease for coverage...
Read More
TRICARE Open Season Webinar graphic

Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Regio...

News
Oct. 29, 2024

Are you ready for TRICARE Open Season and the upcoming changes to TRICARE in 2025? Mark your calendar for a...
Read More
Woman looking at laptop screen

Q&A: What To Know as TRICARE Open Season Begins ...

News
Oct. 24, 2024

TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 11—that’s just a few weeks away. If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, this...
Read More
Man works on a laptop

TRICARE Claim Form Updated To Assist in Processi...

News
Oct. 23, 2024

If you’ve submitted a claim for reimbursement, then you may be familiar with the TRICARE claim form, Patient’s...
Read More
TRICARE Enrollment Freeze Oct. 25-27, 2024

TRICARE Enrollment Freeze and Scheduled milConne...

News
Oct. 21, 2024

It’s almost time for TRICARE Open Season, which begins Nov. 11. That means you should check your information...
Read More
Man receives a vaccine.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Get Your F...

News
Oct. 17, 2024

The fall and winter months bring an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and...
Read More
Three women smiling at the camera

Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-...

News
Oct. 16, 2024

With TRICARE, you have access to a wide range of preventive care specific to your needs. For women, this...
Read More
Woman sits at table looking at laptop with smartphone next to her.

Live in the West Region? Update Your TRICARE Pay...

News
Oct. 10, 2024

Do you currently live in the West Region? Or, do you live in one of the six states (Arkansas, Illinois,...
Read More

Oct. 30, 2024

TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Decrease Effective Nov. 1

If you’re enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program, your TDP monthly premiums will decrease for coverage effective Nov. 1. These new rates will remain in effect until Feb. 28, 2025.

Oct. 29, 2024

Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes at Nov. 14 Webinar

Are you ready for TRICARE Open Season and the upcoming changes to TRICARE in 2025? Mark your calendar for a TRICARE webinar, “Get Ready for TRICARE Open Season and 2025 Region Changes,” on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2–3 p.m. ET on Microsoft Teams Live.

Oct. 24, 2024

Q&A: What To Know as TRICARE Open Season Begins Nov. 11

TRICARE Open Season begins Monday, Nov. 11—that’s just a few weeks away. If you’re a TRICARE beneficiary, this is the time when you can enroll in a health plan or change health plans for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2025. You can make these changes through Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Oct. 23, 2024

TRICARE Claim Form Updated To Assist in Processing Overseas Claims

If you’ve submitted a claim for reimbursement, then you may be familiar with the TRICARE claim form, Patient’s Request for Medical Payment (DD Form 2642). In September 2024, this form was updated to include fields that’ll make it easier when filing claims for care received overseas.

Oct. 21, 2024

TRICARE Enrollment Freeze and Scheduled milConnect and Beneficiary Web Enrollment Outage Beginning Oct. 25: What To Know

It’s almost time for TRICARE Open Season, which begins Nov. 11. That means you should check your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System as soon as possible. There will be a global TRICARE enrollment freeze from Oct. 25-27, and limitations to the Beneficiary Web Enrollment self-service portal between Oct. 28 and Dec. 31.

Oct. 17, 2024

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones: Get Your Flu Shot With TRICARE

The fall and winter months bring an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus. Getting your flu shot is an easy way to help ward off illness. The vaccine lowers your chance of getting sick, going to the hospital, or even dying from the flu.

Oct. 16, 2024

Unlock Your Health by Scheduling a TRICARE Well-Woman Exam

With TRICARE, you have access to a wide range of preventive care specific to your needs. For women, this includes comprehensive services like an annual well-woman exam.

Oct. 10, 2024

Live in the West Region? Update Your TRICARE Payment Information With TriWest

Do you currently live in the West Region? Or, do you live in one of the six states (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin) moving to the West Region in 2025? If you pay for your TRICARE coverage via credit card or bank electronic funds transfer, you can now securely give your recurring payment information to the incoming West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance.

Oct. 8, 2024

Learn How Referrals and Specialty Care Will Work as New TRICARE Contracts Start in 2025

Health care delivery under new TRICARE contracts starts on Jan. 1, 2025. These new contracts will improve quality and access for beneficiaries in the United States by enhancing referral management and access to specialty care. Learn more about what to expect starting Jan. 1.

Oct. 7, 2024

DOD Announces Health Care Supplement Program Pilot for DOD Civilian Employees in Japan

The Department of Defense (DOD) today announced a one-year pilot program to provide no-cost supplemental health support services to DOD civilian employees serving in Japan after a yearlong effort to identify and address concerns regarding access to medical care.