Teachers, deploying service members line up for COVID-19 vaccine at Ramstein

Alongside a sign that said “COVID VACCINE,” a line of about 50 people waited outside the Southside Fitness Center Annex early Friday in freezing temperatures before the doors opened at 9.

Air Force medical officials said they expected to vaccinate several hundred people during the three-hour shot clinic, which was open on a walk-in basis to select personnel.

Many in line were teachers at Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Kaiserslautern, both eager and anxious to get the Moderna vaccine, a step they hoped would help in getting kids back in school. DODEA schools in Germany are closed and students are taking classes remotely.