LEXINGTON, Ky. - As Kentucky transitions into the vaccination phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky National Guard maintains its partnership with the University of Louisville, Kentucky Emergency Management and others to facilitate the distribution of vaccines to people of the commonwealth.
“As a Lexington resident, seeing the National Guard here feels like taxpayer money well spent,” said Pam Welch.
Welch was one of the thousands of people who signed up for an appointment and showed up at the Kentucky Horse Park vaccination site to receive her series of COVID-19 vaccinations, administrated by Kroger health professionals.
“Everything went smoothly and it took less than an hour to include the wait time post-vaccination,” said Welch. “I think having all-hands-on-deck is very important to getting everyone vaccinated.”
There are seven vaccination sites around Kentucky dedicated to the public, in Covington, Lexington, Frankfort, Louisville and Bowling Green – all supported by the Army and Air components of the KYNG.
For 2nd Lt. Trae Cardwell, the COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force officer in charge and assigned to the 138th Field Artillery Brigade, this is an opportunity for the Soldiers of the KYNG to play their part in supporting the commonwealth.
“We are serving as a support element to Kroger as they run the medical side of vaccinations,” he said. “Our Soldiers across the state are helping with decontamination, coordinating and controlling traffic flow, and assisting with on-site transportation for those who need access to the building from the parking lot.”
Cardwell has supported COVID-19 efforts since last year and serves as the 138th FAB’s liaison to Kroger.
Beginning with drive-thru testing in March 2020, Kentucky Soldiers augmented efforts to facilitate drive-thru testing sites to inform people of their COVID-19 status.
With vaccinations underway, the support from the KYNG comes full circle.
As vaccinations increase in the commonwealth, the public-private partnerships are helping Kentuckians get through the pandemic.