Health

Health

Medical Minute: Update on COVID vaccine progress, flu shots

Medical Minute: Update on COVID vaccine progress, flu shots

We are now into week two of delivering the Moderna COVID vaccine into the arms of Americans in the KMC. The initial shipment was designated for Phase 1a (first responders, frontline medics, etc.); however, we have been able to expand that to start some in Phase 1b. Eligible Ramstein members […]

January 15, 2021 ×

Health

U.S. Air Force Col. (Dr.) Ryan Mihata, 86th Medical Group commander, receives his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Ramstein Air Base, Jan. 4. Initial quantities of the vaccine are limited to first responders and medical personnel. Vaccines will be distributed on a rolling delivery basis as more become available.

Airmen receive initial COVID-19 vaccine

First responders and select medical personnel received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 4 at Ramstein’s Southside Fitness Center Annex. After a long and daunting year, the initial shipment of COVID-19 vaccines mark what infectious disease experts predict will be a turning point in the pandemic. Medical logistics […]

January 8, 2021 ×

Health

Medical Minute: Update on COVID-19, Influenza Vaccines

Medical Minute: Update on COVID-19, Influenza Vaccines

Happy New Year! I am excited that COVID-19 vaccinations began this week with the first group of first responders including Defenders, firefighters and medics. Also included in this eligible group were aeromedical evacuation medics assigned to the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight. These amazing […]

January 8, 2021 ×

Features, Health

Airman enhances care through innovation

Airman enhances care through innovation

It’s been said that a crisis can be viewed from two aspects, that of danger and another for opportunity. Over the past several months, COVID-19 has transformed business practices, social gatherings and patient care processes. While many of these changes are an expansion of technology to continue the lifestyles we […]

January 8, 2021 ×

Health

Medical Minute: An update on COVID and flu vaccines

Medical Minute: An update on COVID and flu vaccines

On Sunday, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced new COVID restrictions across Germany. These increased restrictions extend the lockdown until at least Jan. 10. In Kaiserslautern, COVID case counts remain elevated, 124-130 cases per 100 thousand. Unfortunately, Germany continues to see increasing mortality rates (death rates) across the country. Kaiserslautern has had […]

December 18, 2020 ×

Features, Health

Members of the 86th Medical Group Public Health flight pose for a photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 20, 2020. Public health officials contact trace positive COVID-19 patients and isolate them to protect the public from further exposure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)

COVID-19: Then and now

In the eight months since COVID-19 arrived on base, Ramstein has come a long way. In March the base confirmed its first case, marking a step into uncharted territory. Operations had to be flexible to prevent the spread of the virus.

December 18, 2020 ×

Health

Medical Minute: An update on COVID vaccine

Medical Minute: An update on COVID vaccine

Germany’s current restrictions seem to have stabilized case counts across our region. Kaiserslautern is stable in the range of 115-134 cases per 100 thousand. While elevated, the rate is no longer climbing. On Ramstein, the number of active cases is on a downward trend over the past week (and month). […]

December 11, 2020 ×

Health

Medical Minute: Giving for #GlobalHealth, bad weather ops and flu vaccine update

Medical Minute: Giving for #GlobalHealth, bad weather ops and flu vaccine update

Happy December! Over the weekend I reflected on things we have to be thankful for, despite the pandemic. One of those things is really good health care. As intensive care units reach capacity in many areas in the United States and Europe, which in turn leads to climbing numbers of […]

December 4, 2020 ×

Health

Medical Minute: Safe and Healthy Thanksgiving

Medical Minute: Safe and Healthy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! As we prepare for the fast-approaching holiday season, please remember to be safe. Even as we celebrate with small groups, be mindful of your physical distance and potential for exposure. Be safe, not just from COVID, but in all that you do, especially when it is outside of […]

November 26, 2020 ×

Features, Health

86 MDG COVID-19 task force keeps KMC safe

86 MDG COVID-19 task force keeps KMC safe

Imagine locating potentially dozens of people who came into contact with one COVID-19 patient over the past 14 days of their life. Then another person close to them tests positive, and now their contacts over the past 14 days have to be notified. Now imagine doing that every day. That […]

November 26, 2020 ×