Ohio National Guard to help with COVID-19 vaccinations

COLUMBUS — The Ohio National Guard is now working with the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Aging and several other community partners to give COVID-19 vaccines.

“Our joint task force supporting the state’s COVID-19 response has assembled vaccination teams of medics and nurses,” said Maj. Gen. John Harris Jr. “They will work with local and state partners to expand vaccination capabilities to reach more Ohioans with this important tool in our battle against the virus.”

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The National Guard’s mission will be focused on older Ohioans and those who are immunocompromised.

“This is important to our general population and the start of us getting out to our communities to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ohio Air National Guard Maj. Shelly Brackman, a clinical nurse and officer with the joint task force’s medical team.

The program will follow the state’s phased approach to administering the vaccine, which currently includes those 65 and older as well as some Ohioans with severe developmental disabilities.

Currently, there are about 1,000 soldiers and airmen deployed to assist with COVID-19, including test collection, personal protective equipment, vaccine warehousing and food distributions.

Cox Media Group