Pfizer vaccine administered to Navy-sponsored children in Yokosuka

Photo By Tetsuya Morita | YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 20, 2021) – Judson Leary, a 16-year-old Kinnick High School student, receives his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Janasia Spotson during a vaccine distribution at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) Hawk’s Nest. CFAY began administering vaccines to Navy-sponsored Status of Forces Agreement children 12 to 17 years old during the two-day distribution May 20 and 21. For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Tetsuya Morita)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

05.20.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Fraser 

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka

YOKOSUKA, Japan (May 20, 2020) – Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) began administering the first round of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to Navy-sponsored Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) children 12 to 17 years old.

U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka received the Pfizer vaccine for the purpose of vaccinating Navy-SOFA dependent children who are currently too young to receive the Moderna and Janssen vaccines.
“The ability to provide Pfizer vaccines is yet another tool we're able to offer the Navy-SOFA team to keep them and their dependents safe,” said Rear Adm. Brian P. Fort, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan and Naval Region Japan. “It's a sign of the way we've embraced the mentality of playing great offense and listening to great ideas coming from the community.”

Judson Leary, a 16-year-old Navy dependent, was the first Navy-sponsored SOFA dependent to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine onboard CFAY. Leary said he was excited to know he would be the first person under the age of 18 to receive the vaccine.

“This is a very special opportunity that I’m happy to experience,” said Leary. “I’m a part-time sales associate at the [Navy Exchange Yokosuka] Fleet Rec … It’s irresponsible for me, as well as other front-line workers, to not be vaccinated.”

As vaccines have become more common onboard CFAY, Fort said it is important that SOFA personnel and their families have the option to get vaccinated if they choose.

“The reason we care about vaccinations is simple: the vaccines work,” said Fort. “We have almost effectively killed active transmission of COVID amongst our SOFA population.”

In addition to Leary, 691 other children have obtained parental permission and signed up for the May 20 and 21 shot distribution. For CFAY, this accounts for 67 percent of the eligible youth population who will be immunized by late June.

Fort said the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution at CFAY is the result of multiple communities acting together as a team.

“None of this would have been possible without the strong response from the hospital, the Fleet, and all the volunteers who provided support,” said Fort. “I am so proud of the entire team for the coordination, attitude, and work they put into getting personnel who want the vaccine, vaccinated.”

For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2021
• Date Posted: 05.20.2021 04:56
• Story ID: 396898
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP