After a long year of uncertainty, many Americans are seeking a means to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Meeting this demand will require a momentous effort, involving a diverse range of contributors from the health care industry and beyond.
Following a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) stepped in to join the fight against COVID-19. Now, the Army and National Guard are both playing a vital part in vaccine distribution.
Members of the armed forces make for ideal candidates to help in this crucially important process. Active-duty servicemembers can efficiently organize and quickly mobilize to areas in need. Plus, the many specialized skill sets found among soldiers are extremely useful for managing a complex and multi-faceted mission like mass vaccine distribution.
Servicemembers' role to date
The National Guard has already activated more than 20,000 servicemembers and military medical personnel to assist with COVID-19 response, reported Military.com. Some of the jobs active-duty forces are performing include administering vaccines, issuing health assessments and guiding the public through the vaccination process.
In many instances, a dual-status commander is involved to coordinate and oversee emergency response missions. This allows different military components, such as the Army and National Guard, to establish a single chain of command. The dual-status commander can then provide direction and facilitate communications among all involved servicemembers, as well as federal, state and local government agency personnel.
Where are servicemembers helping out?
All across the country and U.S. territories, active-duty servicemembers are doing their part to help with vaccine distribution.
The Army sent 200 soldiers from the storied 101st Airborne Division to the United Center in Chicago, Illinois to help with vaccine distribution as part of the DoD's COVID-19 response operation. These soldiers are assigned to the 426th Brigade Support Batallion's 1st Brigade Combat Team.
"The 101st has a long history of answering our nation's call, which at times has been to support civil authority here within the U.S.," explained Lt. Col. Derek Di Bello, the battalion commander. "It is a mission we will take on with the same focus and energy that we would any task given to us."
In Pueblo, Colorado, approximately 140 soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, are supporting civilian partners at the state-run, federally supported COVID-19 Community Vaccination Center.
Around 170 military personnel from the 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina are working with the federally run vaccination center in Memphis, Tennessee.
At the mass vaccination site located at New York City's Jacob Javits Convention Center, more than 350 New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, along with members of the New York Guard State Defense Force and New York Naval Militia, are working in partnership with the state's Department of Health.
These are just some of the examples of how the steadfast assistance of servicemembers has contributed greatly to delivering more than 100 million vaccinations already. While there's still have plenty of hard work ahead, if anyone is up for the job, it's our brave servicemen and women.