Wolf Pack receives its first COVID-19 vaccines

  • Published
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

The first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations arrived at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 29, 2020.

In line with the DOD prioritization guidelines, the recipients of the vaccine were from the 8th Fighter Wing’s first responders.

Maj. Heather Foster, 8th Medical Group public health emergency officer, was the first person to receive the vaccine at the Wolf Pack. “One of the bigger reasons to get the vaccine is to protect our families,” says Foster. “When I got mine today, I was thinking about my mom. I want to protect her. She’s older and I could easily be a carrier that could get her sick. So it’s important to me to get the vaccine so I can protect the people around me that I care about.”

Following this initial phase, additional vaccine shipments will arrive on-peninsula as Moderna, and potentially other FDA-authorized vaccines, are produced and shipped to United States Forces Korea. These vaccines will be made available for those eligible and in accordance with the DOD prioritization categories.

“I look at this as a historical thing and as my social duty,” says Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Kehl, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, another member who was among the volunteers to receive the vaccine. “We’re at the forefront of a world pandemic, and here we are getting the vaccine as one of the first people, so I’m just extremely grateful.”

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine arrived in South Korea on Dec. 25 at Incheon Airport. After clearing customs, it remained in cold-storage handling and ground delivered to the three medical treatment facilities at Camp Humphreys, Osan AB and Kunsan AB.

Due to the emergency use authorization, the Moderna vaccine is 100% voluntary.

“With the rollout of the vaccine, it’s the first step in the right direction of getting back to normal and protecting our force to continue the mission in the ways we were doing prior to COVID,” says Col. Christopher Hammond, 8th Fighter Wing commander. “We’re trying to encourage our Airmen, Soldiers, civilians, and families to get the vaccine. I know I will when the opportunity presents itself.”

For all COVID-19 information and updates, follow Kunsan’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KunsanAirBase and Kunsan’s official COVID-19 website: https://www.kunsan.af.mil/News/Coronavirus-Disease-2019/