1 00:00:02,740 --> 00:00:05,270 Good afternoon , everybody . Happy 2 00:00:05,270 --> 00:00:07,460 Friday to you . Today we're gonna 3 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:11,590 focusing on , uh , coronavirus covid 4 00:00:11,590 --> 00:00:14,130 19 and the department's efforts , uh , 5 00:00:14,140 --> 00:00:16,740 to distribute and vaccinate our our 6 00:00:16,740 --> 00:00:19,430 troops and to all the other support 7 00:00:19,440 --> 00:00:21,020 issues that were that were 8 00:00:21,020 --> 00:00:24,150 participating in , um And so we have 9 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:27,190 two special briefers to join us today . 10 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,900 The acting assistant secretary for 11 00:00:29,900 --> 00:00:32,122 Health Affairs , Terry Adira . Um , and 12 00:00:32,122 --> 00:00:34,344 I think you all know Lieutenant General 13 00:00:34,344 --> 00:00:36,567 Ron Place , the director of the Defense 14 00:00:36,567 --> 00:00:38,678 Health Agency . They're each going to 15 00:00:38,678 --> 00:00:40,844 have a few comments to kick it off the 16 00:00:40,844 --> 00:00:43,570 top . Uh , and then we'll start taking 17 00:00:43,580 --> 00:00:45,302 your questions again . Will be 18 00:00:45,302 --> 00:00:47,469 alternating between questioners on the 19 00:00:47,469 --> 00:00:49,580 phone as well as those of you here in 20 00:00:49,580 --> 00:00:51,747 the room . So with that , I'll turn it 21 00:00:51,747 --> 00:00:53,913 over to Terry . Thank you , Mr Kirby . 22 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,140 Good afternoon , everybody . Thank you 23 00:01:00,140 --> 00:01:02,410 for joining us here today . And for all 24 00:01:02,410 --> 00:01:04,632 the important work you do communicating 25 00:01:04,632 --> 00:01:06,632 with the public general place and I 26 00:01:06,632 --> 00:01:08,577 just want to say a few words as Mr 27 00:01:08,577 --> 00:01:10,688 Kirby said before we get to answering 28 00:01:10,688 --> 00:01:12,632 any of your questions , D o d . Is 29 00:01:12,632 --> 00:01:14,688 playing a key role in supporting the 30 00:01:14,688 --> 00:01:16,466 whole of government approach to 31 00:01:16,466 --> 00:01:18,521 defeating covid 19 , particularly in 32 00:01:18,521 --> 00:01:20,632 support of vaccination of our service 33 00:01:20,632 --> 00:01:22,743 members and other beneficiaries , but 34 00:01:22,743 --> 00:01:24,799 also our fellow citizens through the 35 00:01:24,799 --> 00:01:26,966 FEMA mission , as the acting assistant 36 00:01:26,966 --> 00:01:29,299 secretary of defense for health affairs , 37 00:01:29,299 --> 00:01:31,410 it is my responsibility to set health 38 00:01:31,410 --> 00:01:33,521 policy for the department . And under 39 00:01:33,521 --> 00:01:35,743 the Biden administration , we conducted 40 00:01:35,743 --> 00:01:37,910 a review of all covid related policies 41 00:01:37,910 --> 00:01:39,966 and force health protection guidance 42 00:01:39,966 --> 00:01:42,188 and have updated several based on newly 43 00:01:42,188 --> 00:01:44,243 issued CDC guidance , for instance . 44 00:01:44,243 --> 00:01:45,910 And just as one example , the 45 00:01:45,910 --> 00:01:48,132 department rapidly incorporated the CDC 46 00:01:48,132 --> 00:01:50,299 guidance for vaccinated individuals to 47 00:01:50,299 --> 00:01:52,521 allow them to be exempt from quarantine 48 00:01:52,521 --> 00:01:54,632 and testing if they should be exposed 49 00:01:54,632 --> 00:01:56,799 to somebody with Covid going forward . 50 00:01:56,799 --> 00:01:58,910 As we learn more and working in close 51 00:01:58,910 --> 00:02:01,021 collaboration with the C . D . C , we 52 00:02:01,021 --> 00:02:03,243 will continue to update our guidance to 53 00:02:03,243 --> 00:02:03,210 ensure our D . O D personnel are safe 54 00:02:03,220 --> 00:02:05,530 and can perform their missions . In the 55 00:02:05,530 --> 00:02:07,419 meantime , we are vaccinating our 56 00:02:07,419 --> 00:02:09,030 service members and eligible 57 00:02:09,030 --> 00:02:11,197 beneficiaries as fast and as safely as 58 00:02:11,197 --> 00:02:13,830 possible in alignment with President 59 00:02:13,830 --> 00:02:15,997 Biden's announcement that vaccine will 60 00:02:15,997 --> 00:02:18,163 be available to all Americans in May , 61 00:02:18,163 --> 00:02:20,386 we will be ready to open up vaccination 62 00:02:20,386 --> 00:02:22,552 to all eligible D o D beneficiaries by 63 00:02:22,552 --> 00:02:25,020 May 1st , we are committed to 64 00:02:25,020 --> 00:02:26,798 contributing to the president , 65 00:02:26,798 --> 00:02:29,020 achieving his goal of 200 million shots 66 00:02:29,020 --> 00:02:31,710 in 100 days . And we rely on you to 67 00:02:31,710 --> 00:02:33,821 communicate to your readers , viewers 68 00:02:33,821 --> 00:02:35,932 and listeners , especially within our 69 00:02:35,932 --> 00:02:37,710 military community , that covid 70 00:02:37,710 --> 00:02:40,080 vaccines are safe and effective , like 71 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:42,080 the civilian sector . Early on , we 72 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,136 were aware that some service members 73 00:02:44,136 --> 00:02:46,247 were hesitant to accept vaccination , 74 00:02:46,247 --> 00:02:48,247 but now we are seeing more and more 75 00:02:48,247 --> 00:02:50,413 step forward to get it when it's their 76 00:02:50,413 --> 00:02:52,080 turn . And I want to use this 77 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,024 opportunity to thank every service 78 00:02:54,024 --> 00:02:56,247 member who has gotten vaccinated . They 79 00:02:56,247 --> 00:02:58,302 are not only protecting themselves , 80 00:02:58,302 --> 00:02:58,140 but they're also contributing to the 81 00:02:58,140 --> 00:03:00,029 safety of their teammates , their 82 00:03:00,029 --> 00:03:02,084 families and their communities . The 83 00:03:02,084 --> 00:03:04,362 light at the end of the tunnel is near . 84 00:03:04,362 --> 00:03:06,529 I know you've heard that over and over 85 00:03:06,529 --> 00:03:08,696 again , but it's true . Vaccination is 86 00:03:08,696 --> 00:03:10,529 one critical part of getting our 87 00:03:10,529 --> 00:03:12,529 country back to normal . Along with 88 00:03:12,529 --> 00:03:14,473 continued testing and adherence to 89 00:03:14,473 --> 00:03:16,696 public health measures like masking and 90 00:03:16,696 --> 00:03:18,807 social distancing . We just can't let 91 00:03:18,807 --> 00:03:20,973 up at this point . R D O . D personnel 92 00:03:20,973 --> 00:03:23,084 have done a phenomenal job . I'm very 93 00:03:23,084 --> 00:03:24,696 proud of all of them . We've 94 00:03:24,696 --> 00:03:26,690 administered more than 1.8 million 95 00:03:26,690 --> 00:03:28,980 shots within D o D and more than five 96 00:03:28,980 --> 00:03:31,147 million shots have gone into arms by a 97 00:03:31,147 --> 00:03:33,313 military service members in support of 98 00:03:33,313 --> 00:03:35,313 the FEMA mission . I'll now turn it 99 00:03:35,313 --> 00:03:37,369 over to general place . You can give 100 00:03:37,369 --> 00:03:39,424 more detail about our vaccinations . 101 00:03:39,424 --> 00:03:41,536 Thanks , Dr Darren . Good afternoon , 102 00:03:41,536 --> 00:03:43,647 ladies and gentlemen . I'll add a few 103 00:03:43,647 --> 00:03:45,758 details to what Dr Durham has already 104 00:03:45,758 --> 00:03:47,924 given . In her overview , the military 105 00:03:47,924 --> 00:03:49,980 health system is administering Covid 106 00:03:49,980 --> 00:03:52,202 vaccine at 343 sites around the world . 107 00:03:52,202 --> 00:03:54,424 At the same time , nearly 3000 military 108 00:03:54,424 --> 00:03:56,424 personnel are currently deployed to 109 00:03:56,424 --> 00:03:58,480 support Federal Emergency Management 110 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:00,647 Administration led efforts at civilian 111 00:04:00,647 --> 00:04:00,590 vaccination sites around the United 112 00:04:00,590 --> 00:04:03,320 States , with more expected soon . A 113 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,542 special thanks goes out to our superbly 114 00:04:05,542 --> 00:04:07,542 trained , enlisted medical forces , 115 00:04:07,542 --> 00:04:09,542 carrying out these responsibilities 116 00:04:09,542 --> 00:04:11,709 with compassion and with distinction . 117 00:04:11,709 --> 00:04:13,487 Well , there's some lag in data 118 00:04:13,487 --> 00:04:15,264 transmission to the CDC . We've 119 00:04:15,264 --> 00:04:17,320 currently administered more than 1.8 120 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,480 million doses of vaccine to over 1.1 121 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:22,710 million eligible diode beneficiaries . 122 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:25,462 We're thankful for those who have taken 123 00:04:25,462 --> 00:04:27,684 this step protecting themselves , their 124 00:04:27,684 --> 00:04:27,670 teammates , their families and those 125 00:04:27,670 --> 00:04:30,060 most vulnerable . These figures include 126 00:04:30,060 --> 00:04:32,282 service members , military retirees and 127 00:04:32,282 --> 00:04:34,338 family members and certain civilians 128 00:04:34,338 --> 00:04:36,930 and contractors . Over 600,000 our 129 00:04:36,930 --> 00:04:38,986 service members , Active Reserve and 130 00:04:38,986 --> 00:04:41,200 National Guard and of those of those , 131 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:43,311 600,000 received at least one dose of 132 00:04:43,311 --> 00:04:44,811 the vaccine , representing 133 00:04:44,811 --> 00:04:47,360 approximately 30% of the force . The 134 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:50,090 diodes prioritization balances , 135 00:04:50,090 --> 00:04:52,257 lowering operational risk of the force 136 00:04:52,257 --> 00:04:54,257 along with those most vulnerable to 137 00:04:54,257 --> 00:04:55,780 infection . While military 138 00:04:55,780 --> 00:04:57,724 installations have different sized 139 00:04:57,724 --> 00:04:59,836 populations with different missions , 140 00:04:59,836 --> 00:05:01,558 almost all sites are currently 141 00:05:01,558 --> 00:05:03,780 vaccinating those deployed or preparing 142 00:05:03,780 --> 00:05:05,724 to deploy strategic defense forces 143 00:05:05,724 --> 00:05:08,080 those over the age of 75 frontline 144 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:10,210 essential workers . Many are also 145 00:05:10,210 --> 00:05:12,321 vaccinating those between the ages of 146 00:05:12,321 --> 00:05:15,620 65 75 those ages 17 to 64 with an 147 00:05:15,630 --> 00:05:17,790 increased risk to severe illness if 148 00:05:17,790 --> 00:05:20,180 infected . It's important to note that 149 00:05:20,180 --> 00:05:23,170 about 60% of our military personnel are 150 00:05:23,170 --> 00:05:25,281 in that final tier of our vaccination 151 00:05:25,281 --> 00:05:27,226 priorities that is generally young 152 00:05:27,226 --> 00:05:29,281 without underlying health conditions 153 00:05:29,281 --> 00:05:31,114 and not currently required in an 154 00:05:31,114 --> 00:05:33,226 operational mission . We have not yet 155 00:05:33,226 --> 00:05:35,281 begun offering vaccinations to those 156 00:05:35,281 --> 00:05:37,226 individuals in that tier . At most 157 00:05:37,226 --> 00:05:39,360 military installations , meaning more 158 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,416 than half the force has not yet been 159 00:05:41,416 --> 00:05:43,960 offered a vaccine . This is similar to 160 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:47,310 most US jurisdictions . Further , the 161 00:05:47,310 --> 00:05:49,310 supply chain is working and working 162 00:05:49,310 --> 00:05:51,199 well . We're receiving what we're 163 00:05:51,199 --> 00:05:53,143 allowed to order and shipments are 164 00:05:53,143 --> 00:05:55,310 arriving on time . We're administering 165 00:05:55,310 --> 00:05:57,588 vaccines as quickly as we receive them . 166 00:05:57,588 --> 00:05:59,754 As production continues to expand , we 167 00:05:59,754 --> 00:06:01,866 expect the supply demand imbalance to 168 00:06:01,866 --> 00:06:04,088 be resolved . And in only a few weeks . 169 00:06:04,340 --> 00:06:06,562 The addition of the Johnson and Johnson 170 00:06:06,562 --> 00:06:08,618 vaccine bolstered our supply and has 171 00:06:08,618 --> 00:06:10,729 been particularly helpful in reaching 172 00:06:10,729 --> 00:06:12,729 our overseas population and austere 173 00:06:12,729 --> 00:06:14,896 locations because it does not have the 174 00:06:14,896 --> 00:06:16,840 ultra cold storage requirements of 175 00:06:16,840 --> 00:06:18,896 other FDA approved covid 19 vaccines 176 00:06:18,896 --> 00:06:20,562 based upon current supply and 177 00:06:20,562 --> 00:06:22,507 vaccination rate projections , I'm 178 00:06:22,507 --> 00:06:24,507 confident will open vaccinations to 179 00:06:24,507 --> 00:06:26,507 every eligible person at almost all 180 00:06:26,507 --> 00:06:28,729 military installations on or before May 181 00:06:28,729 --> 00:06:30,729 1st consistent with the president's 182 00:06:30,729 --> 00:06:32,896 March 11th pledge to all Americans . I 183 00:06:32,896 --> 00:06:35,062 speak with military medical commanders 184 00:06:35,062 --> 00:06:37,118 around the world every week and work 185 00:06:37,118 --> 00:06:39,340 through the issues that are confronting 186 00:06:39,340 --> 00:06:41,340 for vaccinations . We exchange best 187 00:06:41,340 --> 00:06:43,562 practices and refine our communications 188 00:06:43,562 --> 00:06:43,300 efforts based on what our leaders on 189 00:06:43,300 --> 00:06:46,070 the front lines share with us . As Dr 190 00:06:46,070 --> 00:06:47,737 Dear mentioned , we're seeing 191 00:06:47,737 --> 00:06:49,959 individuals who may have initially been 192 00:06:49,959 --> 00:06:51,848 wary about the vaccine . Now come 193 00:06:51,848 --> 00:06:54,014 forward and ask for it . I expect that 194 00:06:54,014 --> 00:06:56,237 trend to continue finally , like doctor 195 00:06:56,237 --> 00:06:58,292 and your , um , I'm also a physician 196 00:06:58,292 --> 00:07:00,237 and welcome the opportunity to get 197 00:07:00,237 --> 00:07:02,459 vaccinated . I tell my family , several 198 00:07:02,459 --> 00:07:04,570 of whom also served in the military , 199 00:07:04,570 --> 00:07:06,626 that these are great vaccines and to 200 00:07:06,626 --> 00:07:08,737 get them at their first opportunity . 201 00:07:08,737 --> 00:07:10,848 And I offer the advice that I give to 202 00:07:10,848 --> 00:07:13,014 my family to all diode beneficiaries . 203 00:07:13,014 --> 00:07:15,237 And quite frankly , to every American , 204 00:07:15,237 --> 00:07:17,459 these are safe , effective vaccines and 205 00:07:17,459 --> 00:07:19,348 are critical weapons in our fight 206 00:07:19,348 --> 00:07:21,514 against covid . 19 . All Americans who 207 00:07:21,514 --> 00:07:23,737 received their care from the Department 208 00:07:23,737 --> 00:07:23,620 of Defense and would like to be 209 00:07:23,620 --> 00:07:25,760 vaccinated will have that opportunity 210 00:07:25,770 --> 00:07:27,714 over the next few months , whether 211 00:07:27,714 --> 00:07:29,826 abroad or here in the United States . 212 00:07:29,826 --> 00:07:31,826 Thanks to progress in administering 213 00:07:31,826 --> 00:07:33,770 these vaccines , combined with our 214 00:07:33,770 --> 00:07:35,714 ongoing public health measures and 215 00:07:35,714 --> 00:07:37,603 laboratory testing , we truly are 216 00:07:37,603 --> 00:07:39,770 turning a corner in our country and in 217 00:07:39,770 --> 00:07:41,992 the d o d . Thanks again for being here 218 00:07:41,992 --> 00:07:43,937 this afternoon . I look forward to 219 00:07:43,937 --> 00:07:45,826 assisting Dr Damon answering your 220 00:07:45,826 --> 00:07:47,992 questions . Well , thank you , General 221 00:07:47,992 --> 00:07:50,048 Place and Dr dear , um , with that , 222 00:07:50,048 --> 00:07:52,103 we'll go to questions . Start by the 223 00:07:52,103 --> 00:07:51,960 phone address , Waters 224 00:07:57,840 --> 00:07:58,460 address . 225 00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:06,556 Let's go to the next one . Abraham , 226 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:08,040 Watch Examiner . 227 00:08:13,140 --> 00:08:16,660 I hear somebody . Hello , Abraham . 228 00:08:17,140 --> 00:08:19,251 It is a dress from writer . Sorry , I 229 00:08:19,251 --> 00:08:21,410 was amused . Um um , super good 230 00:08:21,410 --> 00:08:23,577 question on the Pentagon reservation . 231 00:08:23,577 --> 00:08:25,521 Um , firstly , how many cases have 232 00:08:25,521 --> 00:08:28,230 there been at the Pentagon itself ? And 233 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:30,370 by what ? Did you expect everyone at 234 00:08:30,370 --> 00:08:32,340 the Pentagon itself to be fully 235 00:08:32,340 --> 00:08:33,340 vaccinated ? 236 00:08:37,240 --> 00:08:40,850 Uh huh . If if if we know that answer , 237 00:08:40,850 --> 00:08:43,017 I don't personally know it . But if we 238 00:08:43,017 --> 00:08:45,239 know that answer will have to take that 239 00:08:45,239 --> 00:08:47,461 one for the record and in terms of when 240 00:08:47,461 --> 00:08:49,628 everyone on the Pentagon reservation , 241 00:08:49,628 --> 00:08:51,850 I would suggest that that's the same as 242 00:08:51,850 --> 00:08:50,890 it is for everywhere else . There are 243 00:08:50,890 --> 00:08:53,270 those in every every tear , uh , here 244 00:08:53,270 --> 00:08:55,437 on the Pentagon Pentagon reservation , 245 00:08:55,437 --> 00:08:57,048 just like any other military 246 00:08:57,048 --> 00:08:59,180 installations . So sometime in mid to 247 00:08:59,180 --> 00:09:01,347 late summer is my expectation that all 248 00:09:01,347 --> 00:09:03,236 who want to be vaccinated will be 249 00:09:03,236 --> 00:09:05,513 vaccinated on the Pentagon reservation . 250 00:09:07,140 --> 00:09:10,210 Thank you , Megan . You mentioned 251 00:09:10,210 --> 00:09:12,230 you're seeing more people take the 252 00:09:12,230 --> 00:09:14,174 vaccine now than they were maybe a 253 00:09:14,174 --> 00:09:16,119 couple months ago . Given that the 254 00:09:16,119 --> 00:09:18,174 Pentagon is not centrally tracking , 255 00:09:18,174 --> 00:09:20,341 who's saying yes and who's saying no . 256 00:09:20,341 --> 00:09:22,286 How do you know that that rate has 257 00:09:22,286 --> 00:09:24,508 increased ? Is it because your district 258 00:09:24,508 --> 00:09:26,341 you're administering more , more 259 00:09:26,341 --> 00:09:28,674 quickly ? What leads to that conclusion ? 260 00:09:28,674 --> 00:09:30,841 Yeah , sure . I'll take that . So , at 261 00:09:30,841 --> 00:09:33,119 every location , at every installation , 262 00:09:33,119 --> 00:09:35,870 we have everyone , um , a collection of 263 00:09:35,870 --> 00:09:37,981 people who in particular tears and as 264 00:09:37,981 --> 00:09:39,981 we move through those tears that we 265 00:09:39,981 --> 00:09:42,310 know who accepted and who who didn't 266 00:09:42,310 --> 00:09:44,143 come in or didn't try to make an 267 00:09:44,143 --> 00:09:46,310 appointment , that sort of thing . But 268 00:09:46,310 --> 00:09:48,199 when we know who's gotten it , we 269 00:09:48,199 --> 00:09:50,254 circle back to those who haven't and 270 00:09:50,254 --> 00:09:52,199 and offer it again on an iterative 271 00:09:52,199 --> 00:09:54,254 basis . And as we re offer it , many 272 00:09:54,254 --> 00:09:56,199 who who at first just declined the 273 00:09:56,199 --> 00:09:58,199 opportunity are now taking us up on 274 00:09:58,199 --> 00:10:00,366 that opportunity . That's what we mean 275 00:10:00,366 --> 00:10:02,532 by that . So that's my follow up is if 276 00:10:02,532 --> 00:10:01,810 you rejected it the first time around , 277 00:10:01,810 --> 00:10:03,810 Are you able to get in contact with 278 00:10:03,810 --> 00:10:06,088 your health care provider ? Absolutely . 279 00:10:06,088 --> 00:10:08,143 I'd be careful about using the world 280 00:10:08,143 --> 00:10:10,088 were rejected for something that's 281 00:10:10,088 --> 00:10:09,510 voluntary . They didn't take up the 282 00:10:09,510 --> 00:10:11,454 opportunity the first time when we 283 00:10:11,454 --> 00:10:13,566 asked the second time . Then they did 284 00:10:13,566 --> 00:10:15,621 take up the opportunity , and some . 285 00:10:15,621 --> 00:10:14,700 It's been the third or fourth time 286 00:10:14,700 --> 00:10:16,589 we've offered . They've taken the 287 00:10:16,589 --> 00:10:18,756 opportunity , but are they able to not 288 00:10:18,756 --> 00:10:20,867 just being offered ? Are they able to 289 00:10:20,867 --> 00:10:23,033 call up and say , Hey , can I get it ? 290 00:10:23,033 --> 00:10:24,922 Once you've been contacted , your 291 00:10:24,922 --> 00:10:28,390 forever eligible perfect Let's go back 292 00:10:28,390 --> 00:10:30,850 to the phones , Abraham . Me there . Mm . 293 00:10:33,540 --> 00:10:36,950 Um , You to a new buttons , apparently . 294 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:41,370 Okay , True . Mhm pandemic 295 00:10:41,370 --> 00:10:45,160 man . We'll come back to Abraham . 296 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:48,360 Let's go to Jack . Testing purpose . 297 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,218 Thank you . A question for both 298 00:10:51,220 --> 00:10:53,900 briefers . What data can you share 299 00:10:53,910 --> 00:10:56,280 about the numbers of service members 300 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:57,947 who initially declined to get 301 00:10:57,947 --> 00:11:00,660 vaccinated and then reconsidered ? 302 00:11:02,540 --> 00:11:05,070 We don't collect that data centrally , 303 00:11:05,070 --> 00:11:07,770 so we don't have that data . As general 304 00:11:07,770 --> 00:11:10,630 Place has said , um , we do get some 305 00:11:10,630 --> 00:11:13,070 suggestion that those who might have 306 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:14,858 hesitated to get it at first or 307 00:11:14,858 --> 00:11:17,690 accepted initially are coming back and 308 00:11:17,690 --> 00:11:19,857 getting vaccinated . But we just don't 309 00:11:19,857 --> 00:11:22,130 collect that data centrally were very 310 00:11:22,130 --> 00:11:25,800 focused on providing education and as 311 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,200 much information as our service members 312 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,200 and their families need in order to 313 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,367 make the decision and getting vaccines 314 00:11:32,367 --> 00:11:35,060 into arms . If I could follow up if you 315 00:11:35,060 --> 00:11:38,390 don't have data , how can you make that 316 00:11:38,390 --> 00:11:40,250 assertion ? Are you going off of 317 00:11:40,260 --> 00:11:44,160 anecdotes ? No . The data that we do 318 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:46,810 have as those who have accepted it so 319 00:11:46,830 --> 00:11:48,780 within our tearing system . So the 320 00:11:48,780 --> 00:11:51,640 prioritization scheme that we have once 321 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:53,862 a particular location has moved through 322 00:11:53,862 --> 00:11:55,862 that part of the tear into the next 323 00:11:55,862 --> 00:11:58,300 tier . And yet those in the first tier 324 00:11:58,300 --> 00:12:00,078 the numbers go up . It's not an 325 00:12:00,078 --> 00:12:02,830 assertion again . All we track is those 326 00:12:02,830 --> 00:12:06,070 who who accept it . But we see the 327 00:12:06,070 --> 00:12:08,292 acceptance rates on the initial tears . 328 00:12:08,292 --> 00:12:09,959 So initial tears of the first 329 00:12:09,959 --> 00:12:12,014 responders , right ? So when we came 330 00:12:12,014 --> 00:12:13,959 here three months ago and had this 331 00:12:13,959 --> 00:12:13,230 conversation , that's who we talked 332 00:12:13,230 --> 00:12:15,452 about . The health care practitioners , 333 00:12:15,452 --> 00:12:17,800 first responders , the police , the 334 00:12:17,810 --> 00:12:19,977 fire departments , etcetera . And over 335 00:12:19,977 --> 00:12:22,199 time , the percentage of those who have 336 00:12:22,199 --> 00:12:24,310 become vaccinated continues to rise . 337 00:12:24,310 --> 00:12:27,050 That's how we know if I could ask if 338 00:12:27,060 --> 00:12:29,227 local commands have this , Why are you 339 00:12:29,227 --> 00:12:31,171 unable to tabulate and co elated ? 340 00:12:33,740 --> 00:12:35,970 Well , uh , so you're talking about 341 00:12:35,970 --> 00:12:37,914 local commands . Those are service 342 00:12:37,914 --> 00:12:39,914 members specific , some of whom are 343 00:12:39,914 --> 00:12:41,970 task organized , who aren't assigned 344 00:12:41,970 --> 00:12:43,970 necessarily to the unit but who are 345 00:12:43,970 --> 00:12:46,192 attached to it . So the systems that we 346 00:12:46,192 --> 00:12:48,081 have to keep track of our service 347 00:12:48,081 --> 00:12:50,580 members and then the civilians who Oh , 348 00:12:50,580 --> 00:12:52,636 by the way , we're still responsible 349 00:12:52,636 --> 00:12:54,747 for who aren't necessarily on Manning 350 00:12:54,747 --> 00:12:56,969 documents or adding in contractors will 351 00:12:56,969 --> 00:12:58,913 be healthcare contractors or first 352 00:12:58,913 --> 00:13:00,691 responder contractors . It's an 353 00:13:00,691 --> 00:13:02,580 amalgamation of lots of different 354 00:13:02,580 --> 00:13:02,460 systems . So in order to get 355 00:13:02,470 --> 00:13:04,637 information to the department of where 356 00:13:04,637 --> 00:13:06,748 we are . We've essentially just added 357 00:13:06,748 --> 00:13:08,581 big lists of people on different 358 00:13:08,581 --> 00:13:11,200 locations . Now the challenge really is 359 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,200 like everywhere else in the world . 360 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,200 Your personal health information is 361 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,010 protected as we have to be very , very 362 00:13:18,010 --> 00:13:20,420 careful about what we share outside of 363 00:13:20,420 --> 00:13:22,642 it , from a healthcare delivery part to 364 00:13:22,642 --> 00:13:24,770 what we share with anyone else so we 365 00:13:24,770 --> 00:13:26,770 don't manage it the way that you're 366 00:13:26,770 --> 00:13:28,937 suggesting we might manage it . All we 367 00:13:28,937 --> 00:13:32,060 manage is anonymous data , so you know 368 00:13:32,060 --> 00:13:33,893 when it comes to list etcetera , 369 00:13:33,893 --> 00:13:35,782 anonymous data . So we know who's 370 00:13:35,782 --> 00:13:37,560 accepted it . But we don't have 371 00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:39,616 specific details about whether , for 372 00:13:39,616 --> 00:13:41,449 example , I've accepted it or Dr 373 00:13:41,449 --> 00:13:43,671 Durham's accepted or any other person , 374 00:13:43,671 --> 00:13:45,393 because that's personal health 375 00:13:45,393 --> 00:13:48,180 information . Perfect . We'll go back 376 00:13:48,180 --> 00:13:50,870 to the room foreign , the benefit of 377 00:13:50,870 --> 00:13:53,260 the place you had said a few weeks ago . 378 00:13:53,260 --> 00:13:55,149 The acceptance rate was about two 379 00:13:55,149 --> 00:13:57,316 thirds of that was based on very early 380 00:13:57,316 --> 00:13:59,204 anecdotes are suggestions . I was 381 00:13:59,204 --> 00:14:01,482 wondering if there's an update to that , 382 00:14:01,482 --> 00:14:03,649 given what you've just said , and what 383 00:14:03,649 --> 00:14:03,540 do you expect to happen to that number 384 00:14:03,540 --> 00:14:05,373 as you open it up to tier to the 385 00:14:05,373 --> 00:14:07,540 general military population , which is 386 00:14:07,540 --> 00:14:09,762 a generally younger and B does not have 387 00:14:09,762 --> 00:14:11,873 the compelling reason of a deployment 388 00:14:11,873 --> 00:14:14,207 of frontline workers to get the vaccine . 389 00:14:14,207 --> 00:14:16,484 Sure , so so I'll go back to the first . 390 00:14:16,484 --> 00:14:18,707 I don't think I've ever publicly said a 391 00:14:18,707 --> 00:14:20,818 number . The person who may have said 392 00:14:20,818 --> 00:14:22,762 the number I don't know where that 393 00:14:22,762 --> 00:14:24,929 number came from because I don't track 394 00:14:24,929 --> 00:14:24,420 that number as the person who's 395 00:14:24,420 --> 00:14:26,470 responsible for the distribution 396 00:14:26,470 --> 00:14:28,526 administration of vaccine within the 397 00:14:28,526 --> 00:14:30,526 force . That's not something that I 398 00:14:30,526 --> 00:14:32,581 that I that I review . So all that I 399 00:14:32,581 --> 00:14:34,692 review over time is is where we are . 400 00:14:34,692 --> 00:14:36,692 Where does the vaccine need to go ? 401 00:14:36,692 --> 00:14:38,692 Where does it fit into the scheme ? 402 00:14:38,692 --> 00:14:40,692 Where do the acceptance rates those 403 00:14:40,692 --> 00:14:42,859 sorts of things further ? To make sure 404 00:14:42,859 --> 00:14:45,081 that those areas that require two doses 405 00:14:45,081 --> 00:14:44,770 So the first two emergency use 406 00:14:44,770 --> 00:14:46,881 authorizations went to the Pfizer and 407 00:14:46,881 --> 00:14:48,492 Moderna vaccines required to 408 00:14:48,492 --> 00:14:50,492 vaccinations at a defined period to 409 00:14:50,492 --> 00:14:52,714 make sure there's enough vaccine to get 410 00:14:52,714 --> 00:14:52,200 those second . Those are the types of 411 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,620 statistics that I measure . So from a 412 00:14:54,630 --> 00:14:56,686 from A have you accepted or not rate 413 00:14:56,810 --> 00:14:58,866 again , I don't I don't I don't keep 414 00:14:58,866 --> 00:15:00,921 track of that but to go to the final 415 00:15:00,921 --> 00:15:03,260 tearing the general population again . 416 00:15:03,340 --> 00:15:05,173 We'll go through the operational 417 00:15:05,173 --> 00:15:07,173 requirements , and we'll go through 418 00:15:07,173 --> 00:15:09,007 what's available at a particular 419 00:15:09,007 --> 00:15:11,173 location . So some bases have a bigger 420 00:15:11,173 --> 00:15:13,229 population and others in early tears 421 00:15:13,229 --> 00:15:15,340 and less and later tear . So all that 422 00:15:15,340 --> 00:15:17,507 factor goes into where we allocate the 423 00:15:17,507 --> 00:15:19,729 vaccine for and then how we follow it . 424 00:15:19,729 --> 00:15:21,896 And then the weekly phone calls that I 425 00:15:21,896 --> 00:15:21,890 mentioned that I have . Is there other 426 00:15:21,890 --> 00:15:23,890 resources that particular locations 427 00:15:23,890 --> 00:15:25,779 need to be able to vaccinate what 428 00:15:25,779 --> 00:15:28,001 they're responsible for at this point ? 429 00:15:28,001 --> 00:15:30,223 Those are all the factors that I follow 430 00:15:30,223 --> 00:15:31,890 centrally , as we support the 431 00:15:31,890 --> 00:15:34,112 application of the vaccine at these 343 432 00:15:34,112 --> 00:15:36,001 locations , does that answer your 433 00:15:36,001 --> 00:15:38,223 question ? Following based on the rates 434 00:15:38,223 --> 00:15:40,112 you're seeing now in terms of the 435 00:15:40,112 --> 00:15:39,800 vaccines , are getting the vaccines you 436 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:42,080 expect to get . When might the force 437 00:15:42,090 --> 00:15:44,312 for everybody who wants it in the force 438 00:15:44,312 --> 00:15:46,534 be vaccinated ? You have an estimate on 439 00:15:46,534 --> 00:15:46,290 that ? Well , again , it's gonna depend 440 00:15:46,290 --> 00:15:48,480 on uptake rates , right ? So if most 441 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,591 one it's going to take longer if less 442 00:15:50,591 --> 00:15:52,702 one , it'll take less time . Based on 443 00:15:52,702 --> 00:15:54,591 the projections that we have will 444 00:15:54,591 --> 00:15:56,702 supply side and vaccination side , we 445 00:15:56,702 --> 00:15:58,591 do fully expect to be open to all 446 00:15:58,591 --> 00:16:00,813 Americans are all of our d o d eligible 447 00:16:00,813 --> 00:16:02,924 populations on or before the first of 448 00:16:02,924 --> 00:16:04,924 May And at current uptake rates for 449 00:16:04,924 --> 00:16:07,091 those who want to get it , we think by 450 00:16:07,091 --> 00:16:08,924 the middle of July or so again , 451 00:16:08,924 --> 00:16:11,036 assuming the vaccine supply continues 452 00:16:11,036 --> 00:16:13,202 as it is , assuming nothing else takes 453 00:16:13,202 --> 00:16:15,369 away from our vaccinators . So again , 454 00:16:15,369 --> 00:16:17,313 projecting just where we are now , 455 00:16:17,313 --> 00:16:18,980 middle of July , we think the 456 00:16:18,980 --> 00:16:20,591 department we vaccinated any 457 00:16:20,591 --> 00:16:22,758 consideration of trying to create some 458 00:16:22,758 --> 00:16:24,869 sort of incentive once you open it up 459 00:16:24,869 --> 00:16:27,202 to everybody . No , no plans to do that . 460 00:16:30,140 --> 00:16:32,470 Thank you . Back to the fountains , 461 00:16:32,470 --> 00:16:33,470 Peter . 462 00:16:39,540 --> 00:16:42,390 Okay . Hi . Yes , thank you very much . 463 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,160 Peter Ludwig Disassemble a couple of 464 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,271 weeks ago . Congressman complained at 465 00:16:47,271 --> 00:16:49,271 the hearing , um , about troops and 466 00:16:49,271 --> 00:16:51,382 families overseas getting a vaccine , 467 00:16:51,382 --> 00:16:53,940 which he called inferior . Um , and 468 00:16:53,940 --> 00:16:55,996 General , you mentioned a minute ago 469 00:16:55,996 --> 00:16:58,162 that the J and J bolstered your supply 470 00:16:58,162 --> 00:17:00,273 because it doesn't have the same cold 471 00:17:00,273 --> 00:17:02,218 chain requirement , but cold chain 472 00:17:02,218 --> 00:17:04,384 requirements does don't mean very much 473 00:17:04,384 --> 00:17:03,730 to the troops and family members who 474 00:17:03,730 --> 00:17:05,674 are getting it . Um , what are you 475 00:17:05,674 --> 00:17:07,674 doing to ensure that those deployed 476 00:17:07,674 --> 00:17:09,841 overseas don't feel like they're being 477 00:17:09,841 --> 00:17:11,952 treated as second class . Thank you . 478 00:17:11,952 --> 00:17:14,080 You can have that . Well , the first 479 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,420 part that I'll answer to that is every 480 00:17:16,420 --> 00:17:19,030 single one of these vaccines are shown 481 00:17:19,030 --> 00:17:21,197 through rigorous clinical trials to be 482 00:17:21,197 --> 00:17:24,510 safe and effective . And second , none 483 00:17:24,510 --> 00:17:26,580 of these vaccines have been truly 484 00:17:26,580 --> 00:17:28,100 measured in the exact same 485 00:17:28,100 --> 00:17:30,320 circumstances . So we would really 486 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:33,220 caution anyone from comparing any 487 00:17:33,230 --> 00:17:36,320 efficacy or safety or any other factor 488 00:17:36,320 --> 00:17:38,320 of any of the vaccines against each 489 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,487 other because it's not been done . But 490 00:17:40,487 --> 00:17:42,653 if you look at them all , all three of 491 00:17:42,653 --> 00:17:44,820 them in general , all three of them in 492 00:17:44,820 --> 00:17:46,876 general are very safe . All three of 493 00:17:46,876 --> 00:17:49,153 them , in general , are very effective , 494 00:17:49,153 --> 00:17:50,931 and all three of them have some 495 00:17:50,931 --> 00:17:53,220 advantages . And the one really unique 496 00:17:53,220 --> 00:17:55,220 well , to unique advantages to this 497 00:17:55,220 --> 00:17:57,053 third vaccine is first , doesn't 498 00:17:57,053 --> 00:17:59,276 require that cold chain requirement and 499 00:17:59,276 --> 00:18:01,442 second only requires one dose , all of 500 00:18:01,442 --> 00:18:03,609 which make its efficacy . I mean , the 501 00:18:03,609 --> 00:18:05,831 actual effectiveness at the operational 502 00:18:05,831 --> 00:18:08,000 force to be greater . So we think this 503 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,970 is a better vaccine for the 504 00:18:09,970 --> 00:18:11,692 circumstances in those austere 505 00:18:11,692 --> 00:18:14,670 environments . Perfect . Back to the 506 00:18:14,670 --> 00:18:15,760 room , Lucas 507 00:18:18,340 --> 00:18:20,562 General Place . Where do you think this 508 00:18:20,562 --> 00:18:23,670 virus came from ? In China ? Well , 509 00:18:23,890 --> 00:18:25,946 that's the way outside of my area of 510 00:18:25,946 --> 00:18:28,001 expertise . I have no idea , because 511 00:18:28,001 --> 00:18:30,334 the former CDC director Robert Redfield , 512 00:18:30,334 --> 00:18:32,557 said he thinks it escaped from a lab in 513 00:18:32,557 --> 00:18:34,612 Wuhan . Is there any reason to think 514 00:18:34,612 --> 00:18:36,960 he's wrong ? I have no information to 515 00:18:36,970 --> 00:18:39,137 speak one way or another . I'm sorry . 516 00:18:39,137 --> 00:18:41,137 Do you think it's important that we 517 00:18:41,137 --> 00:18:43,192 find out ? I think it's good to have 518 00:18:43,192 --> 00:18:45,359 information about lots of things . Can 519 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:47,526 you rule out that it was a bioweapon ? 520 00:18:47,526 --> 00:18:49,859 I have no basis to answer that question . 521 00:18:49,859 --> 00:18:53,060 I'm really sorry . Back to the phones . 522 00:18:54,140 --> 00:18:56,200 Let's see . Carol , New York Times . 523 00:19:00,740 --> 00:19:03,140 Thank you , ma'am . Sir , can you 524 00:19:03,140 --> 00:19:05,196 provide the science or public health 525 00:19:05,196 --> 00:19:06,862 explanation for placing fully 526 00:19:06,862 --> 00:19:08,529 vaccinated people arriving at 527 00:19:08,529 --> 00:19:10,670 Guantanamo Bay and the 14 day long ? 528 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,050 And what is the tipping point for when 529 00:19:16,050 --> 00:19:19,340 that will no longer be necessary ? Yeah . 530 00:19:19,740 --> 00:19:23,140 Um mhm . Uh , we are 531 00:19:23,150 --> 00:19:25,380 constantly reviewing and working with 532 00:19:25,380 --> 00:19:28,120 the C D . C . To look at the science to 533 00:19:28,120 --> 00:19:31,170 determine , um , whether we need to 534 00:19:31,180 --> 00:19:34,000 rahm and how long we need to rahm for 535 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:36,340 those who are fully vaccinated . And we 536 00:19:36,340 --> 00:19:39,240 post these , uh , force health 537 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,351 protection guidance is on our website 538 00:19:41,540 --> 00:19:43,596 and we are constantly reviewing them 539 00:19:43,596 --> 00:19:46,670 and determining what the best measures 540 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,070 are for ensuring the safety of our 541 00:19:49,070 --> 00:19:51,070 service members and the people that 542 00:19:51,070 --> 00:19:53,237 they work with and their communities . 543 00:19:53,540 --> 00:19:55,651 So the standard is fully vaccinated . 544 00:19:55,651 --> 00:19:58,450 People get a 14 day run on arriving at 545 00:19:58,460 --> 00:20:01,390 the base . Is that consistent with the 546 00:20:01,390 --> 00:20:05,090 rest of the deployed locations ? We are 547 00:20:05,090 --> 00:20:07,400 currently looking at this . We're 548 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:09,990 working with the C D . C . Um , to 549 00:20:09,990 --> 00:20:12,860 determine what the best way to handle 550 00:20:12,870 --> 00:20:14,350 Rahm for travel . 551 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:21,780 Thank you , Carol . Next question for 552 00:20:21,780 --> 00:20:23,947 you now the U . S . Troops . Everybody 553 00:20:23,947 --> 00:20:27,250 knows that he has , like , they have a 554 00:20:27,260 --> 00:20:30,470 great , uh , things about the 555 00:20:30,470 --> 00:20:32,850 vaccinations and how they distribute 556 00:20:32,860 --> 00:20:35,180 that vaccination and help the people , 557 00:20:35,190 --> 00:20:37,134 even the citizen people inside the 558 00:20:37,134 --> 00:20:39,190 United States . So , do you have any 559 00:20:39,190 --> 00:20:42,050 plan to share that experience with your 560 00:20:42,050 --> 00:20:45,110 partners outside overseas ? Like 561 00:20:45,120 --> 00:20:47,064 especially with the countries that 562 00:20:47,064 --> 00:20:49,640 already hosted . But the U . S . Troops 563 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:53,510 like Iraq , like , uh , South Korea . 564 00:20:53,620 --> 00:20:55,731 Do you have any planning above that ? 565 00:20:55,731 --> 00:20:59,090 Please ? I don't have any information 566 00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:01,530 at this time with what we may be doing , 567 00:21:01,540 --> 00:21:04,420 Um , as you describe , um , the 568 00:21:04,420 --> 00:21:06,870 services , maybe , um , doing some of 569 00:21:06,870 --> 00:21:09,230 that type of work , But I'm not aware 570 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:13,040 we can Take that back . Go back to the 571 00:21:13,050 --> 00:21:13,960 phones , Raj . 572 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:20,640 Yes , thank you . Actually , I , uh , 573 00:21:20,650 --> 00:21:22,761 the gentleman before me just ask that 574 00:21:22,761 --> 00:21:24,761 question , but let me just rephrase 575 00:21:24,761 --> 00:21:27,420 that question . Uh , in in Syria and 576 00:21:27,420 --> 00:21:30,430 particularly the sdf , your partner 577 00:21:30,430 --> 00:21:32,430 that are fighting Isis , are you Is 578 00:21:32,430 --> 00:21:35,530 there any plans to help them to get 579 00:21:35,530 --> 00:21:38,300 some sort of vaccination ? As we know , 580 00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:40,356 vaccination is probably important to 581 00:21:40,356 --> 00:21:42,590 fight against Isis . But also , what is 582 00:21:42,590 --> 00:21:45,140 the status of your troops vaccinations 583 00:21:45,140 --> 00:21:47,350 in Syria and Iraq in particular 584 00:21:49,540 --> 00:21:52,050 going into the ocean . The second part ? 585 00:21:52,060 --> 00:21:56,060 Yes . From the second part , Uh , we're 586 00:21:56,060 --> 00:21:57,838 not going to release , at least 587 00:21:57,838 --> 00:21:59,504 centrally any any vaccination 588 00:21:59,504 --> 00:22:01,727 statistics for any particular combatant 589 00:22:01,727 --> 00:22:03,949 command that that they feel comfortable 590 00:22:03,949 --> 00:22:06,660 releasing would refer you to to centcom . 591 00:22:06,670 --> 00:22:09,210 But what I can tell you is that as I 592 00:22:09,210 --> 00:22:11,377 mentioned in my opening comments , the 593 00:22:11,377 --> 00:22:13,488 amount of vaccine that's going to the 594 00:22:13,488 --> 00:22:15,740 geographical combatant commands , uh , 595 00:22:15,750 --> 00:22:19,020 is significant , Um , and is being 596 00:22:19,020 --> 00:22:21,242 prioritized through that that scheme of 597 00:22:21,242 --> 00:22:23,464 a critical national Defense forces . So 598 00:22:23,464 --> 00:22:25,631 they're receiving a significant amount 599 00:22:25,631 --> 00:22:28,060 of vaccine and and are utilizing it as 600 00:22:28,060 --> 00:22:29,838 fast as we can get it to them . 601 00:22:32,440 --> 00:22:34,607 Any comment on the first part ? of the 602 00:22:34,607 --> 00:22:37,360 question if there is any help to any , 603 00:22:37,370 --> 00:22:39,481 any way that you guys are thinking in 604 00:22:39,481 --> 00:22:41,670 terms of helping the SDF in particular 605 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:45,740 to get vaccines , I don't think either 606 00:22:45,740 --> 00:22:47,684 of us are aware of anything that's 607 00:22:47,684 --> 00:22:49,907 either happening or not happening . But 608 00:22:49,907 --> 00:22:52,129 we're happy to take that for the record 609 00:22:52,129 --> 00:22:54,184 and get you whatever answer we can . 610 00:22:54,184 --> 00:22:56,407 We'll take that question . Um , back to 611 00:22:56,407 --> 00:22:58,629 the room , sir . Uh , we were down here 612 00:22:58,629 --> 00:23:00,684 with the diplomatic times . Uh , the 613 00:23:00,684 --> 00:23:02,573 Pentagon announced this week that 614 00:23:02,573 --> 00:23:02,540 they're going to allow migrant Children 615 00:23:02,540 --> 00:23:04,651 to be housed in a Texas military base 616 00:23:04,651 --> 00:23:06,707 if I have my information . Correct . 617 00:23:06,707 --> 00:23:08,596 How does the Pentagon vaccination 618 00:23:08,596 --> 00:23:10,873 broken apply to these migrant Children ? 619 00:23:10,873 --> 00:23:13,207 And who's going to administrator ? Sure , 620 00:23:13,207 --> 00:23:15,340 the entire system is under health and 621 00:23:15,340 --> 00:23:17,562 human services . So you're right . It's 622 00:23:17,562 --> 00:23:19,618 on military bases , but their entire 623 00:23:19,618 --> 00:23:21,618 care feeding , etcetera and medical 624 00:23:21,618 --> 00:23:23,729 care vaccinations , whatever it might 625 00:23:23,729 --> 00:23:25,729 be , will be under health and human 626 00:23:25,729 --> 00:23:25,630 services . So we're partnering with 627 00:23:25,630 --> 00:23:27,600 them to provide the location , but 628 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:29,640 every aspect of only handled by HHS 629 00:23:30,940 --> 00:23:32,996 just to follow up to that . Is there 630 00:23:32,996 --> 00:23:34,940 any unease with potentially having 631 00:23:34,940 --> 00:23:37,051 Children on a military base that have 632 00:23:37,051 --> 00:23:40,970 not been vaccinated ? potential 633 00:23:40,970 --> 00:23:42,803 unease . Well , there's a lot of 634 00:23:42,803 --> 00:23:45,026 variables in that . I think that people 635 00:23:45,026 --> 00:23:47,137 can be uneasy about lots of different 636 00:23:47,137 --> 00:23:49,303 things , but the department's position 637 00:23:49,303 --> 00:23:50,970 as well as HHS position as we 638 00:23:50,970 --> 00:23:52,914 understand that we're in this as a 639 00:23:52,914 --> 00:23:54,803 partnership . We're providing the 640 00:23:54,803 --> 00:23:56,914 location for them . But the protocols 641 00:23:56,914 --> 00:23:58,692 for separating our forces , our 642 00:23:58,692 --> 00:24:01,330 families from that particular 643 00:24:01,330 --> 00:24:03,650 population significant effort is going 644 00:24:03,650 --> 00:24:06,960 into that to to , you know , take into 645 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:09,016 account that potential uneasiness of 646 00:24:09,016 --> 00:24:11,127 those two particular locations . So , 647 00:24:11,127 --> 00:24:13,182 yes , we understand it . Yes , we're 648 00:24:13,182 --> 00:24:12,770 aware of that . We're going to great 649 00:24:12,770 --> 00:24:14,770 effort . So to keep them separate . 650 00:24:16,740 --> 00:24:18,796 Thank you . And back to the phones . 651 00:24:18,796 --> 00:24:19,962 Alan from synopsis . 652 00:24:25,740 --> 00:24:27,851 Hi . Thank you so much for doing this 653 00:24:27,851 --> 00:24:30,230 today . Um , I have a quick question 654 00:24:30,240 --> 00:24:33,330 about are you tracking in the number of 655 00:24:33,330 --> 00:24:35,330 D . O D beneficiaries who have been 656 00:24:35,330 --> 00:24:37,552 vaccinated ? Are you tracking those who 657 00:24:37,552 --> 00:24:39,663 might have been vaccinated as part of 658 00:24:39,663 --> 00:24:42,250 the FEMA sites , for example , family 659 00:24:42,250 --> 00:24:44,028 members who might have gotten a 660 00:24:44,028 --> 00:24:46,139 leftover dose at the end of the day , 661 00:24:46,940 --> 00:24:49,500 right ? We're not tracking that data . 662 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:51,810 We're not We're not tracking that data . 663 00:24:51,820 --> 00:24:53,960 We wouldn't have any way to track it 664 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:56,016 unless they were to report it back , 665 00:24:56,016 --> 00:24:58,200 but no . Right . So it's all that said 666 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:00,311 specifically where they get it ? No . 667 00:25:00,311 --> 00:25:02,200 But any family member , any D o d 668 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:04,144 beneficiary gets it outside of our 669 00:25:04,144 --> 00:25:06,311 system . We've asked for them to bring 670 00:25:06,311 --> 00:25:08,367 that information and put it into our 671 00:25:08,367 --> 00:25:10,367 electronic health record systems so 672 00:25:10,367 --> 00:25:10,360 that we're aware of it . That said , it 673 00:25:10,360 --> 00:25:12,770 requires their voluntary movement to do 674 00:25:12,770 --> 00:25:14,826 that . But we've asked for it . That 675 00:25:14,826 --> 00:25:16,881 would be the level of information we 676 00:25:16,881 --> 00:25:18,937 have , and that would be it . Okay , 677 00:25:18,937 --> 00:25:21,180 thank you very much . Thank you . And I 678 00:25:21,180 --> 00:25:23,990 think that is I think that's it . All 679 00:25:23,990 --> 00:25:25,934 right , well , thank you very much 680 00:25:25,934 --> 00:25:28,157 again . Maybe one more back to Florence 681 00:25:28,157 --> 00:25:29,990 questions the quick follow up on 682 00:25:29,990 --> 00:25:32,101 incentivizing troops . How about like 683 00:25:32,101 --> 00:25:33,823 an extra day of leave for what 684 00:25:33,823 --> 00:25:36,101 civilians would call a day of vacation ? 685 00:25:36,101 --> 00:25:38,268 Is that being considered troops to get 686 00:25:38,268 --> 00:25:40,546 the vaccine ? So individual commanders , 687 00:25:40,546 --> 00:25:40,130 because they have command 688 00:25:40,130 --> 00:25:42,130 responsibility , anything that's in 689 00:25:42,130 --> 00:25:44,186 their legal purview for incentives , 690 00:25:44,186 --> 00:25:46,408 they have that opportunity to do that . 691 00:25:46,408 --> 00:25:48,630 But there's no central incentive that's 692 00:25:48,630 --> 00:25:50,797 being considered within the department 693 00:25:50,797 --> 00:25:52,963 right now , But I think you know , the 694 00:25:52,963 --> 00:25:55,074 secretary of the department is taking 695 00:25:55,074 --> 00:25:56,963 this concern seriously and taking 696 00:25:56,963 --> 00:25:56,390 efforts to raise awareness about the 697 00:25:56,390 --> 00:25:58,557 importance and efficacy of the vaccine 698 00:25:58,557 --> 00:26:01,260 itself . All right , well with that . 699 00:26:01,270 --> 00:26:03,492 Thank you , General Place . Thank you , 700 00:26:03,492 --> 00:26:05,492 Doctor dear , um , give any further 701 00:26:05,492 --> 00:26:07,437 questions . My pleasure . Take OSD 702 00:26:07,437 --> 00:26:06,960 public affairs . Thank you .