10 Airmen from the 23rd Medical Group at Moody Air Force Base volunteered to vaccinate members of the Valdosta community at two South Georgia Medical Center COVID-19 vaccination drive-through locations, Aug. 28, 2021.

These Airmen partnered up with staff from SGMC, Valdosta State University and Partnership Health Center last Saturday to help vaccinate more than 800 members of this region. 

“About three weeks ago, we had a little over 400 people come out,” said Johnny Ball, SGMC marketing and public affairs vice president. “We wanted to increase our numbers, so we decided to do a vaccination line at both the Smith Northview and SGMC campus this Saturday.”

Community members were offered two options for vaccination.

“We had two tents set up for either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, and they could receive the first, second or third dose of vaccination,” Ball said.

Volunteers helped with registration, vaccine administration and traffic control.

“Participants registered … then they drove up to their designated vaccination station, received their shot, and once that was complete, they were directed to a 15-minute waiting area before they could safely drive off,” Ball said.

After receiving the vaccine, recipients must wait for 15 minutes to be observed for allergic reactions.

The event received a positive turnout. An Airman from Moody spoke to the impact of this occasion.

“We’re out here helping the community, so we can lessen the dangers of COVID-19 and get back to regular life,” said Tech. Sgt. Tarell Walker, 23rd MDG dental lab technician. “The more people that get vaccinated the better.”

Although members of Moody Air Force Base came to work on their off day, their contributions were greatly appreciated.

“We appreciate what Moody is doing,” Ball said. “We appreciate them bringing out their members, and we also appreciate Moody and what they do to protect our country and to protect our community.”

If anyone hasn’t received their vaccine and would like to, SGMC is offering vaccinations to individuals that qualify Monday-Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Smith Northview location. The member must have had a negative test result for COVID-19 prior to receiving their vaccine.