COLUMBUS, Ohio — The video in the player above originally aired on February 3, 2021.
The Ohio National Guard has announced it will begin working with several state entities to assist in administering the COVID-19 vaccine to Ohioans across the state.
The guard will work with The Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Aging and several community partners.
“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 first be on those who are most susceptible to COVID-19. That includes older Ohioans and those with compromised immune systems.
“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 continue to follow the state's phased approach to administering the vaccine. Details on that program, vaccine clinic locations and eligibility can be found on the state's coronavirus website.
The Ohio National Guard has been assisting in the state's COVID-19 response since the beginning of the pandemic last March. Right now, there are about 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen deployed to support missions. Those missions include sample test collection, personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as vaccine warehousing and distributing food to those in need.