With the upcoming COVID-19 vaccination requirement, Department of the Air Force civilian employees will need to submit their vaccination status to their supervisor via the MilConnect website (preferred) or via DD Form 3175. The deadline for this is Nov. 22, 2021. Please note, individual units may have established earlier deadlines. Completion of the DD Form 3175 is required even if a DAF civilian employee already completed the DD Form 3150 or otherwise previously attested to their vaccination status. DAF civilian employees who submit proof of vaccination or the DD Form 3175 in an electronic format are encouraged to use encrypted email or password protected files with DoD SAFE file transfer, available at https://safe.apps.mil (CAC Required). The DD Form 3175 includes the required Privacy Act statement that the supervisor must provide the employee at the time they submit the form.

►Employees who have been fully vaccinated:
DAF civilian employees will also need to submit proof of vaccination. This can be done in hard copy or electronic form. Proof of vaccination includes a copy of the record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy, a copy of the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, a copy of medical records documenting the vaccination, a copy of immunization records from a public health or state immunization information system, or a copy of any other official documentation. Employees may provide a digital copy of such records, including, for example, a digital photo, scanned image, or PDF of such a record that is clear and legible.

►Employees who are seeking an vaccination exemption:
DAF civilian employees should as a general matter promptly notify supervisors that they are seeking a legally required exemption to the vaccination mandate, or other accommodation, and should strive to submit their request no later than November 8, 2021. Links to the request forms are available below. The supervisor should hold the form until further guidance is provided by Department of the Air Force.

MilConnect Website (Preferred method to complete DD 3175)
DD Form 3175 (Fillable PDF)  |  DD Form 3175 User Guide (PDF)
Disability Request Form (Fillable PDF)
Religious Request Form (Fillable PDF)
Benefits of Vaccination (PDF)

Further details on the process are available below.

On Sept. 9, 2021, the President of the United States directed Executive Branch agencies to implement a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for Federal employees to ensure the health and safety of the Federal workforce and members of the public with whom they interact by signing Executive Order 14043, “Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees”. The Deputy Secretary of Defense directing compliance with the established deadlines, and the Secretary of the Air Force subsequently issued Secretary of the Air Force, Mandatory Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination of Department of the Air Force Civilian Employees, October 8, 2021, directing all DAF personnel to comply and achieve fully vaccinated status as quickly as possible and not later than Nov. 22, 2021. DoD issued Force Health Protection Guidance (Supplement 23) Revision 1 - Department of Defense Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Attestation, Screening Testing, and Vaccination Verification on Oct. 18, 2021.

DAF Commanders will ensure that DAF civilian employees are fully vaccinated as soon as possible, but not later than November 22, 2021. Commanders will issue necessary supplemental instructions and ensure all contract and associated funding implications are considered.

The Department of the Air Force will obtain civilian vaccination status via DD Form 3175 and accompanying vaccination documents as proof of status. All DAF civilian employees (regardless of whether they are authorized to telework/remote work), must attest to their vaccination status by completing Section A of the DD Form 3175 “Civilian Employee Certification of Vaccination,” and must provide accompanying vaccination documents as proof of their status. This action should be taken via milConnect, if available, at: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil

When screening testing is made available and local testing procedures are established (on or after Nov. 22, 2021), DAF civilian employees and contractor personnel who are not fully vaccinated (as defined in this guidance), are required to undergo COVID-19 screening testing at least weekly (depending on the type of test kit used). This requirement also applies to local foreign national employees and Service members who are not on active duty who are also DAF civilian employees.

DAF civilian employees are responsible for providing acceptable documentation or evidence of negative COVID-19 screening test results, upon receipt, to the appropriate supervisor or authorized human resources official, in accordance with locally established testing process.

DAF civilian employees who do not become fully vaccinated and/or fail to provide proof of vaccination are subject to disciplinary measures, up to and including removal from Federal service, unless the employee has received an exemption or the employee’s timely request for an exemption is pending decision. If an employee submits a request after enforcement action is initiated, such action may be held in abeyance where appropriate.

Further guidance on processing exemption requests will be forthcoming from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In the meantime, employees who wish to submit an exemption may initiate the process in accordance with guidelines in this guidance and submit exemption requests to their supervisors or authorized human resources officials; however, no action may be taken on any exemption requests received until further DAF guidance is issued.

On Aug. 24, the Secretary of Defense published an order requiring mandatory vaccination against Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for all members of the Armed Forces under DoD authority on Active Duty or in the Ready Reserve, including the National Guard. Subsequently, on Sept. 3, the Secretary of the Air Force ordered all Active Duty or in the Ready Reserve, including the National Guard to be fully vaccinated (2 weeks following completion of the vaccine series) no later than Nov. 2. Alternatively, service members can provide proof of vaccinations received at an alternate location to the 72 MDG by contacting Public Health at usaf.tinker.72-mdg.mbx.72-mdg-sgpm-public-health@mail.mil 

Airmen with questions are able to consult with their healthcare provider or chaplain to address questions or concerns with the vaccine.

Additionally, Airmen have the option to apply for medical or administrative exemption, including religious accommodations, by reaching out to their commander. The process for obtaining exemptions for all mandatory vaccinations is provided in AFI 48-110_IP, Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases, for medical exemptions, and DAFI 52-201, Religious Freedom in the Department of the Air Force, for religious accommodations.

Any refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, absent an approved exemption or accommodation, may be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Are vaccines available at Tinker?
The COVID-19 (Moderna) vaccine is available through the Immunizations Clinic by appointment. To make an appointment, visit https://covidvaccinesignup.timetap.com

Who can get the vaccine?
Vaccines are available to all DOD ID Card holders 18+ as well as children age 5-17 (Pfizer only at this time). A parent/guardian is required to be present for pediatric vaccinations. Other age groups have not been approved at this time. Contractors with access to Tinker AFB are also authorized to be vaccinated.

I’m a retiree/spouse/dependent, can I get the vaccine at the Tinker Clinic?
YES! All DOD ID Card holders can get vaccinated through the Tinker Clinic.

Are you accepting walk-ins for the COVID-19 vaccine?
Walk-ins will be accepted if we have no shows or cancellations. The best way to get vaccinated is to make an appointment through https://covidvaccinesignup.timetap.com

Will we still need to wear masks and practice physical distancing once a vaccine is available?
Yes. The intent of the vaccine is to prevent the spread of COVID 19. We will still need to wear cloth face covings and practice physical distancing to limit the spread of the virus. This will continue until the risk of COVID-19 is substantially reduced.

How long will protection last following vaccination?
We do not know how long protection will last following vaccination but it will be critically important to measure long-term protection (at least two years) in the phase 3 trials and in other groups prioritized for early vaccination. We are still learning about the duration of protection following infection with COVID-19 and it is too early to tell how long protection will last.

Can someone get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
No, it is not possible to get COVID-19 from vaccines. Vaccines against COVID-19 use inactivated virus, parts of the virus, or a gene from the virus. None of these can cause the coronavirus.

Below is an excerpt from the CDC describing how current COVID-19 vaccines operate. View the full page at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the "spike protein." The spike protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are given in the upper arm muscle. Once the instructions (mRNA) are inside the immune cells, the cells use them to make the protein piece. After the protein piece is made, the cell breaks down the instructions and gets rid of them.

Next, the cell displays the protein piece on its surface. Our immune systems recognize that the protein doesn’t belong there and begin building an immune response and making antibodies, like what happens in natural infection against COVID-19.

At the end of the process, our bodies have learned how to protect against future infection. The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is those vaccinated gain this protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.

It is important to note that you can still contract COVID-19, but will now have the antibodies to fight it off, to not get sick. Additionally, it is not known how long the vaccine is effective. This is why it is important to keep wearing masks, washing hands and practicing physical distancing.

How does the vaccine work?
Manufacturers have different science behind their vaccines. Most mimic COVID symptoms, allowing the body to build antibodies. You can find further information on the vaccine manufacturers' websites.

Will the vaccine require multiple shots?
Yes. Depending on the type of vaccine received, there will be an initial shot followed three to four weeks later with a second shot. Vaccines from different manufacturers are NOT interchangeable; it is important that people receiving the COVID-19 vaccine return for their second shot at the appropriate time.

Where can Tinker personnel get more information on COVID-19 vaccines?
The latest information on COVID-19 vaccines as well as the latest Health Protection Conditions, Declarations of Public Health Emergency, COVID testing information and a list of resources can be found here on the Tinker coronavirus web page.

What are our civilian counterparts doing to aid in vaccination?
The Oklahoma State Department of Health has a website where people can register for upcoming vaccine clinics and present their level of need (age, essential worker status, comorbidities, etc.). Visit https://vaccinate.oklahoma.gov to register. Additional Oklahoma information can be found at https://oklahoma.gov/covid19.html

I have questions not addressed in this FAQ.
If you have additional questions, please call the 72nd Medical Group at 405-582-6009 during regular business hours.
To minimize call volume on clinic staff, please do not call until you have read through this FAQ. Your question might already be answered.

• Change of Mask Wear Policy in DoD Facilities (March 10, 2022)(PDF)
• USecAF Memo, Approval - Events With Less  Than 250 Participants (March 9, 2022)(PDF)
• COVID-19 Community Levels_Initial Guidance for Federal Agencies_20220228 (PDF)
• Updated Guidance for Mask and Screening Testing for all Department of Defense Installations and Other Facilities (PDF)
• Executive Order 14043 Injunction Compliance FAQ (Jan. 24, 2022) (PDF)
• Updated Mask Guidelines For All DOD Installations and Other Facilities (PDF) (July 28, 2021)
• Delta Variant Factsheet (PDF) (July 14, 2021)
• Vaccine Safety Factsheet (PDF) (July 14, 2021)
• Travel Recommendations (PDF)
• Vaccination DAF Policy and Fact Sheet 2nd Revision May 11, 2021 
• Quarantine Procedures
• Financial Resources for Families
• 72 CPTS Customer Service Operations During COVID
• Travel Guide for Commanders and Directors (PDF) Nov. 25, 2020
• World Health Organization
• Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
• CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
• Oklahoma State Department of Health
• Air Force Information
• DoD Spotlight on Coronavirus
• CDC Traveler Information
• COVID-19 Symptom Self-Checker
• Facemask Directions
• Your Guide to Masks
• Improve How Your Mask Protects You