Barnestormer helps combat against COVID-19

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  • By Courtesy article
  • 104th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

 COVID-19 vaccine distribution has begun at the 104th Fighter Wing after nearly one year of combating the global pandemic. The 104th Medical Group has been working hard throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep barnstormers healthy and safe.

Airman 1st class Hannah Jones-Trudeau, public health technician with the 104th Medical Group, has been working hard to ensure that the 104th FW members receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Obtaining the vaccine was not a simple process. There were some logistical challenges since it is a brand new vaccine that needs to be distributed at a large scale,” said Jones-Trudeau.

The COVID-19 vaccine was not available until late December of 2020. Jones-Trudeau worked hard to get the vaccine to the 104th FW in a timely manner.

“It has been a really dynamic process because operations work-speed has posed all kinds of unique challenges for vaccine distribution,” said Jones-Trudeau. “But we work with this really remarkable team of providers, clinicians, medical operations personnel, medical logistics personnel, and we're pulling from all different units to get the mission done.”

Jones-Trudeau was instrumental to the process of getting vaccinations to the members of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, said Lt. Col. Maria Costa, Task Force Remedium Commander Massachusetts Army National Guard Medical Command Unit.

“She spent a great deal of time researching information from numerous sources to include the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, Center for Disease Control, and vaccine manufacturers to help develop information packets for the recipients,” said Costa. “She also helped establish protocol for scheduling individuals for vaccine appointments.”

Currently, Jones-Trudeau is collecting data to track the vaccination progress and the trend analysis in her public safety capacity.

“She is truly a team player who continues to contribute countless hours as well as great ideas to help maintain and improve our processes,” said Costa.

Vaccination is a great tool to slow the spread of COVID-19, however, we must continue to practice social distancing, regular handwashing, and wearing a mask.

“These simple measures protect our communities and I know that taking care of the people around us is part of why so many of us put on the uniform,” said Jones-Trudeau.

The MA ANG has its own tier system for who is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available to those who want them, based on their tier system. The first tier of people includes medical personnel, people supporting medical missions, essential critical personnel, and leadership. The second tier includes self-identifying high-risk individuals, and individuals who have conditions that put them at greater risk should they get COVID-19. The third tier is the general population on base.