Gov. Wolf Signs Law To Mobilize National Guard For Vaccine Effort

PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania National Guard has been implemented into the state's coronavirus vaccine strategy, thanks to a new bill signed into law Wednesday.

House Bill 326 permits the National Guard to be mobilized to assist at mass vaccination sites, once enough vaccine becomes available to open them. The bill has been pushed by state legislators from both sides of the aisle in recent weeks.

“This service will help further expedite getting vaccine to Pennsylvanians across the state," Gov. Tom Wolf said in signing the bill.

"(The National Guard) has the infrastructure, human capital and logistics to ensure vaccine distribution is both timely and efficient," said state Rep. Tarah Toohill of Luzerne County, a sponsor of the bill.

RELATED: PA Vaccine Timeline: Officials Hope To Have Enough Doses By May

It won't take long for the National Guard to be put into action, as it is in charge of security and logistics for the administration of the new single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to teachers and school employees. That plan, which will be implemented at 28 intermediate units statewide, was also announced Wednesday.

It's not the first time the state has used the National Guard as part of its coronavirus response. The guard helped staff long-term care facilities during some of the deadliest days of the pandemic last spring, and has also been used to help coordinate mass testing sites.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccination in Pennsylvania, visit Patch's information hub.