Vaccine distribution is being conducted in phases, and vaccinations occur regularly aboard ships, military medical treatment facilities and clinics. Vaccine distribution is conducted in phases - vaccines were initially sent to medical treatment facilities and dedicated vaccination sites. As more vaccines became available, vaccines have been offered aboard aircraft carriers, including Abraham Lincoln and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), as well as guided-missile cruisers and destroyers assigned to carrier strike groups.

Earlier this year, greater than 90 percent of personnel in the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, an operational unit within Third Fleet, voluntarily received their COVID-19 vaccines.

"I am proud of the Sailors of Lincoln Nation for choosing to receive the vaccine," said Cmdr. William Nguyen, Abraham Lincoln's Senior Medical Officer. "The vaccine is not only beneficial to the person who receives the injection, but also for our crew, their loved ones and society at large."

Regardless of vaccination status, Third Fleet naval units are practicing aggressive COVID mitigation methods such as wearing facemasks, frequent hand washing, and social distancing as much as possible.

Third Fleet is responsible for the coordination of vaccination allocation and administration for all naval personnel within Navy Region Northwest, Southwest, and Hawaii. These regions include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.