Photo By Jennifer Hunt | 220121-N-BI924-6574 NORFOLK, Va. (January 22, 2021)--Military Sealift Command Civil...... read more read more
Fifty-three civil service mariners assigned to Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Force vessel, USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12), received their second Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine Jan. 22.
In compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Dec.10, 2020 analysis, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, BNT162b2 (30 μg), is to be administered intramuscularly as a series of two 30 μg doses (0.3 mL each). Pfizer and BioNTech companies provided the FDA, in late November, with the initial vaccine results that showed a 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-19 disease in adults when both doses of the vaccine were taken 21 days apart between the first and second dose.
COVID-19 vaccines are expected to increase the health of our workforce and protect our operational readiness said MSC Force Surgeon Navy Captain Kathryn S. Elliott. “Within the medical community, we’re working around the clock to maintain the medical readiness of the force by widely distributing the vaccine in a phased approach, adding additional MSC personnel to the vaccination list as the vaccine becomes more readily available, according to the Department of Defense prioritization schema. The ultimate goal, of course, is to have the vaccine available to the entire MSC Enterprise, said Elliott. “Worldwide, over 1,000 staff members (CIVMARS, military, and civilian) have received at least one dose of vaccine, and more than 350 have completed the series for full immunization, with minimal to no reactions. Some side effects have been headache or flu-like symptoms, which have resolved within one or two days.”
CIVMARS aboard T-AKE 12 were among the first to be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine because they are mission essential workers of the sea, playing a critical role in support of our nation’s defense. “I was anxious to receive the first vaccination, and I was elated to know that we would be the first to receive them. I did not know what to expect at first but there was nothing to fear, just a little soreness in my left arm,” said Captain Andrew Chen, master of USNS William McLean. "Since receiving the first shot, we have been working closely with Force Medical to coordinate our second round of vaccinations prior to deploying to 6th Fleet. We are ready to tackle this deployment knowing that our health will not be compromised by the coronavirus."
Deploying for the next six months in the Sixth Fleet area of operations, the crew will be responsible for running all of the ship’s departments, including deck, engine, supply, communications, medical, and administration. They will also be responsible for navigating the ship, maintaining and operating the engineering department, performing preventive maintenance, and preparing all of the crew’s meals.
Chen said the crew will first head toward the Mediterranean Sea to provide Navy ships with logistical support via underway replenishments at sea which is a common task for this type of ship. “Additionally, we anticipate working with our allies to enhance our partnerships and will be providing military exercise support.”
William McLean is a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship, named in honor of William McLean, a United States Navy physicist who conceived and developed the heat-seeking Sidewinder missile. The contract to build the ship was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company on December 12, 2008.
Launched on April 16, 2011, William McLean is sponsored by Dr. McLean's niece, Margaret Taylor. The ship was delivered to MSC on Sept. 28, 2011.
MSC operates approximately 120 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, and strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world while moving military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
For more news from MSC, visit www.msc.navy.mil.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2021 11:17 |
| Story ID: | 387727 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 356 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MSC’s CIVMARS Receive 2nd Pfizer COVID Vaccine Ahead of Six Month Deployment, by LaShawn Sykes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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