Ohio National Guard assisting with COVID-19 vaccinations

Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Amanda Heckman prepares to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to an Ohio resident as part of the state’s phased vaccination program Jan. 26, 2021, in Columbus. The Ohio National Guard is supporting the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Aging and several community partners.

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Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Amanda Heckman prepares to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to an Ohio resident as part of the state’s phased vaccination program Jan. 26, 2021, in Columbus. The Ohio National Guard is supporting the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Aging and several community partners.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio National Guard has begun supporting the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Aging and several community partners to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

“Our joint task force supporting the state’s COVID-19 response has assembled vaccination teams of medics and nurses. 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,” said Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general.

The focus will be on those most susceptible to COVID-19, including 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 follows the state’s phased approach to administering the vaccine.

The Ohio National Guard has been assisting in the state’s COVID-19 response since March. About 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen are supporting missions to limit the spread of the coronavirus, collecting test samples, warehousing personal protective equipment (PPE) and vaccine, and distributing food.

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