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A Shot at Normalcy

Published February 9, 2021

More than 300 shipbuilders received their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine last week at the old Apprentice School gym (Bldg. 601), located off Marshall Avenue.

Artis Perry (K47), Emily Tavai (O20) and Michael Campbell (O43) were among the first shipbuilders to receive the vaccine. All three said the reason they chose to vaccinate was to help protect the health and safety of others.

“I’ve lost family members and I wish they had a chance at the vaccine because they could still be here right now,” Campbell said. “At first, my family was against getting the vaccine, but the more and more it ratcheted up we sat down and talked about it. If the opportunity came for any of us to get the shot, we agreed that we would do it.”

The HII Family Health Center (QuadMed) medical staff is onsite to administer the vaccine and can provide general information.

“The first vaccination is imperative,” said Nicole Joy, QuadMed’s client operations manager. “This is our answer to herd immunity and getting back to normal. Getting the economy back on track, people back to work, children back to school, this is the way to do it. We know this from our leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Newport News Shipbuilding is receiving limited doses from the state and employees will be notified when it’s their turn to be vaccinated. Availability of COVID-19 vaccines may change daily. If appointments need to be rescheduled, employees will be contacted directly.

Transportation is provided to and from appointments if needed. Shuttles are operating on a continuous loop from Bldg. 601 to pickup locations outside the following NNS gates:

  • 35th Street
  • 42nd Street
  • 50th Street
  • North Yard (Main Gate)