DETROIT – Three hundred Michigan National Guard (MING) members working on COVID-19 vaccination and testing teams received their first round of COVID-19 vaccinations.
The vaccinations were administered by Guard members who have also been supporting Michigan health care agencies, at the request of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in the initial vaccination of medical personnel in hospitals across the state. The Guard began administering these vaccines at the Detroit Light Guard Armory on Dec. 31.
“Providing vaccines to our members really allows us to go on the offense against COVID-19 in the fight for Michiganders,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Michigan National Guard Airmen and Soldiers take the responsibility of protecting their communities very seriously, and offering the COVID-19 vaccination will enable them to safely and effectively continue this mission throughout the state.”
The National Guard is to receive 20% of the Department of Defense’s COVID-19 vaccinations. Receipt of the immunization is voluntary. The priority for Michigan National Guard’s vaccinations is similar to the civilian community: first, to frontline health care workers, like Guard members of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Teams (CVTT), followed by those members that have duties that do not allow them to work from home.
“I’m excited to receive the vaccine because it will allow me to continue on with my duties on a CVTT without the distraction of worrying about getting really sick in the future,” said U.S. Army Cpl. Lance King, serving with the MING's COVID-19 Task Force Spartan. “Volunteering to receive the shot was no different than volunteering to get any other vaccine that is there to protect me.”
The MING continues to partner with MDHHS, providing COVID-19 testing teams, antigen testing and testing training, contact tracing teams and support to long-term care facilities and food banks. Since March, Michigan has deployed more than 1,100 guard personnel to assist in the fight against COVID-19.
“Being able to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to our military community who are out there supporting Michigan is a very positive move toward eradicating this disease,” Rogers said.
Nationwide, there are more than 20,300 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supporting COVID-19 missions.
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