In a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Department of Defense’s support of the COVID-19 response, Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) questioned witnesses on the department’s vaccination efforts in the local communities that host military installations and families.

“Recent surveys show that about 60 percent of Americans are willing to take this vaccine now,” said Peters. “My concern is that surveys show that the rate for military families is around 33 percent. That’s a real problem and I’m really worried about communities that host defense facilities.”

Peters was referring to recent surveys conducted by the Association of Defense Communities and Blue Star Families regarding low vaccination rates in defense communities.

Robert G. Salesses, Performing The Duties Of Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Homeland Defense And Global Security, responded to Peters’ concern.

“Senator, we know the vaccine is safe and its the right thing to do,” said Salesses. “We’re meeting with our leadership teams at every level in the Defense Department to educate people and make sure they know the value of the vaccine.”

Peters commented that transparency is a large part of the equation when it comes to acceptance of the vaccine among communities. “The community has to know what is happening at the base,” said Peters.

Photo By Master Sgt. David Kujawa