Fort Rucker, Al - Lyster Army Health Clinic (LAHC) is administering the Moderna vaccine, a two-dose series separated by 28 days, to eligible Tier 1a-c and Tier 2 populations. Patients can schedule their appointments online through an easy-to-use scheduling app, available at https://informatics-stage.health.mil/LysterCOVIDApp/.  Appointments are required for the vaccinations, as walk-ins are not accepted.

Millions of people in the U.S. have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines are undergoing the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

The Army is distributing the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is received and prioritizing recipients of the vaccine based on the CDC’s prioritization framework. Lyster’s vaccination team has been busy keeping pace while effectively working through the DOD schema “to get shots in arms” explained LTC Danielle Rodondi, Lyster Commander.

DOD Population Schema:

·       Tier 1a-b  (Healthcare, EMS, Essential Workers)

·       Tier 1c: TRICARE Beneficiaries 65 + years

·       Tier 1c: TRICARE Beneficiaries 18 + years with a High Risk Medical Condition

·       Tier 2: Healthy uniformed personnel, and TRICARE Beneficiaries 18 + years

Scheduling your appointment: You can schedule your appointment online through an easy-to-use scheduling app, available at https://informatics-stage.health.mil/LysterCOVIDApp/. When you schedule your appointment online, if you click on a date and no times appear, it means there are currently no appointments available for that day. When you schedule your 1st dose appointment, you must be available to receive your 2nd dose approximately 28 days later. You do not need to schedule your 2nd dose, Lyster will schedule your appointment for you following your 1st dose appointment.

Reminder - If you get a COVID-19 vaccine, wait at least 14 days before getting any other type of vaccine, including those for flu or shingles. If you get another vaccine first, wait at least 14 days before getting your COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccination Site: The COVID vaccination site is not at Lyster; it is located on main post at Building 620, located near the Daleville Gate. From 3rd avenue, Building 620 is off of Raider Street and Quartermaster Road. LAHC repurposed this site to offer beneficiaries better vaccine access while providing a safe social distancing environment.

What to expect at your appointment: Once the vaccine is administered, individuals will need to remain in the vaccination area for 15 to 30 minutes depending on health history for observation. Many people don’t have any side effects after COVID-19 vaccines, but some people will have pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site or tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, or nausea. These typically don’t last long and are normal signs that your body is building protection. During check out, personnel will be offered the opportunity to book an appointment for their second dose, which is administered at or around the 28-day mark. Bring your vaccination card to your second dose appointment.

“We are excited to see more vaccines being rolled out to our area,” Rodondi remarked. TRICARE beneficiaries are also having more options of receiving the vaccination through local communities’ vaccination clinics across the state and network pharmacies. Now, more than ever, vaccine availability is becoming readily available to those in the Wiregrass community. If you get your vaccination off post, please let your primary care manager know the details of your vaccination to keep your records up to date.

Rodondi continued to explain, “We can each make a difference and protect ourselves and others” by wearing a well-fitted mask, staying at least 6 feet from others who don’t live with you, avoiding crowds and travel, and getting vaccinated when it’s available.

To stay up to date on COVID vaccination, follow the Lyster Army Health Clinic Facebook page.