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Photo 1 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. loadmasters assigned to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, remove a HEMOCOOL Freezer System containing Moderna COVID-19 vaccines from a C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft on the flight line at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. The HEMOCOOL Freezer System maintained the temperature of the vaccines between 2 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius for preservation. COVID-19 vaccines were provided as a joint effort between the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command under the direction of the U.S. Africa Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
Photo 2 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. medical service members place a HEMOCOOL Freezer System containing Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in a vehicle for transportation to Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. The vaccines were delivered as part of a joint effort between Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command under the direction of the U.S. Africa Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
Photo 3 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. medical service members remove a HEMOCOOL Freezer System containing Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. Medical personnel with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. Air Forces Africa worked jointly to efficiently vaccinate service members, base employees and contractors at Camp Simba. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
Photo 4 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. service members complete medical documents outside a COVID-19 vaccine tent at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. Medical personnel with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. Air Forces Africa worked jointly to efficiently vaccinate service members, base employees and contractors at Camp Simba. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
Photo 5 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Erica Purdy, a medical technician with the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), prepares a syringe of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. Medical personnel from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and 475th EABS vaccinated service members, base employees and contractors at Camp Simba. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
Photo 6 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S Army Staff Sgt. Debra Hansel, admin noncommissioned officer in charge, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) surgeon cell, administers a COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. Medical personnel from CJTF-HOA and the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron vaccinated service members, base employees and contractors at Camp Simba. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
Photo 7 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S Army Staff Sgt. Debra Hansel, admin noncommissioned officer in charge, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) surgeon cell, administers a COVID-19 vaccine to U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christopher Knox, a firefighter with the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. Medical personnel from CJTF-HOA and the 475th EABS vaccinated service members, base employees and contractors at Camp Simba. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
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Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Military personnel wait for observation after receiving their COVID-19 vaccines at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. Per vaccine protocol, patients must wait 15 minutes after receiving their vaccine to allow observation from medical personnel for signs of rare allergic reactions. Medical personnel from CJTF-HOA and the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron vaccinated service members, base employees and contractors at Camp Simba. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
Photo 9 of 9
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sam Halfacre, a security forces Airman with the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron poses for a photo with his COVID-19 vaccine card after receiving his COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Simba, Kenya, Aug. 19, 2021. COVID-19 vaccines were provided as a joint effort between the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command under the direction of the U.S. Africa Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dwane R. Young)
Photo by: Senior Airman Dwane Young
U.S. Army medical personnel with Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) traveled to Camp Simba, Kenya, to administer COVID-19 vaccines in accordance with Department of Defense policy and guidance to help reduce the burden of COVID-19 in high-risk populations and simultaneously mitigate risk to military operations.
After landing on Aug. 19, 2021, CJTF-HOA surgeon cell members administered dozens of COVID-19 vaccines, working in tandem with the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS) medical team on ground at Camp Simba, inching the camp closer toward their full vaccination goals.
“We are currently around 72 percent and we are working diligently to reach our goal of 100 percent vaccination as soon as possible,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cristina Hreso, 475th EABS, public health technician.
These vaccination trips have become routine for CJTF-HOA surgeon cell members as they travel between Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia administering COVID-19 vaccines to U.S. service members, partner forces, base employees and contractors.
“It is highly important that everyone is vaccinated,” said U.S. Army Capt. Cassandra Day, deputy surgeon with CJTF-HOA. “Vaccines do not prevent the disease, but they do help to decrease the severity of the disease, decrease the risk of hospitalization and the likelihood of death.”
The vaccine roll out in East Africa is part of a sustained joint effort between CJTF-HOA, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command under the direction of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the region and military operations.
“We understand how important vaccines are to protecting the force and local communities we work with in Africa,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Debra Hansel, administrative noncommissioned officer in charge, CJTF-HOA surgeon cell. “We take pride in our contribution to keeping everyone safe.”
Although receiving the vaccine is currently still voluntary, all Department of Defense personnel are encouraged to be vaccinated before the September mandate to protect their health, their families and the communities where they live or serve.
