FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- The Department of Defense has officially moved vaccination sites to Tier 2 of the DOD Population Schema. This means all eligible or authorized TRICARE beneficiaries and DOD individuals can make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine at DOD sites as it becomes available.
“This is great news for our service members and their families,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Terry Adirim. “They’ve been patiently waiting for their opportunity to get vaccinated. When they do, they’ll help play a huge role in slowing the spread of the virus.”
This important milestone coincides with President Biden’s recent announcement that all adults in the U.S. would be eligible to receive a vaccine starting April 19. People in a priority tier who haven’t scheduled an appointment yet, can do so as soon as possible. As stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic.” Those in a priority tier may include health care workers, deploying service members, and those at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
In most cases, people will need to book an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine. When they are ready to do so, there are several tools to help schedule an appointment at a local military hospital, clinic, or DOD vaccination site. Visit COVID-19 Department of Defense Vaccine Appointments to see what appointment tools specific locations are using. If you live outside of the U.S., visit overseas COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Military hospitals and clinics are doing their best to make COVID-19 appointments available for all eligible TRICARE beneficiaries as vaccine supply increases. In some cases, people may need to check in regularly with their military hospital or clinic to learn when new appointments will be available.
People have other options for getting the COVID-19 vaccine if a military hospital, clinic, or DOD vaccination site isn’t an option. Go to COVID Vaccine to see what they are.
The COVID-19 vaccine itself is free; however, there may be a cost based on specific health plans for an office visit with a provider, or for follow-on care. Contact a TRICARE contractor for answers about possible costs. (Courtesy of TRICARE)