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News | May 10, 2021

Mobile Battle Creek Veterans Affairs team vaccinates local community members

By Jason Shamberger DLA Disposition Services Public Affairs

The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center played host to Battle Creek Veterans Affairs as they administered COVID vaccinations to veterans, their spouses and their caregivers. The crew of seven Veterans Affairs medical practitioners are part of a mobile unit that travels around the state of Michigan to provide vaccinations.

Nurse gives a vaccine shot
Installation Management Deputy Site Director Earl Burge receives a COVID vaccination from the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs mobile transport team at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center May 7, 2021.
Nurse gives a vaccine shot
Nurse gives a vaccine shot
Installation Management Deputy Site Director Earl Burge receives a COVID vaccination from the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs mobile transport team at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center May 7, 2021.
Photo By: Jason Shamberger
VIRIN: 210507-D-AU600-012
The COVID Vaccine Mobile Transport Coordinator Jenny Evans said, “Since March 1 we have traveled 3,840 miles and vaccinated about 800 to 900 hundred people.”

By traveling to locations such as the HDIFC, the mobile team reaches more patients and covers areas where vaccinations are not always readily available. For members of the community, this method of vaccination by a mobile team offers a major benefit versus scheduling an appointment at a local pharmacy or hospital.

Vaccine clinic
COVID Vaccine Mobile Transport Coordinator Jenny Evans consults with a nurse who administers vaccinations to veterans, their spouses, and caregivers at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center May 7, 2021.
Vaccine clinic
Vaccine clinic
COVID Vaccine Mobile Transport Coordinator Jenny Evans consults with a nurse who administers vaccinations to veterans, their spouses, and caregivers at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center May 7, 2021.
Photo By: Jason Shamberger
VIRIN: 210507-D-AU600-006
“It was so convenient for me to get it at the HDIFC,” said Earl Burge, the Battle Creek Installation Management deputy site director. “The process itself, was just about as simple as it could be – answer just a few screening questions, administer the shot, wait 15 minutes to ensure no adverse reaction, and off you go.”

While the VA team provides vaccinations to those in Battle Creek today, they must also make plans for where the future takes them next.

“We’re finishing up with some second doses next,” said Evans. “We have to go back to some of those clinics. If the need comes up, then we will be deployed again. The more vaccinations we can do the better off we’ll be.”

For information on COVID vaccinations, please visit the CDC’s frequently asked questions page.