Pa. National Guard supporting second Philadelphia vaccination center

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ross Whitley | Pennsylvania Air National Guard Senior Airman Benedict Barnett, a medic with the 193d Special Operations Wing, prepares band-aids at the Esperanza Community Vaccination Center. The center is a partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania., in Philadelphia, April 8, 2021. The Pennsylvania National Guard are supporting local and federal agencies in the whole-of-government response to COVID-19. The Pennsylvania National Guard has been supporting COVID-19 vaccine sites across the Commonwealth since mid-March. Guard members have supported more than 250,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ross Alexander Whitley / 111th Attack Wing)  

PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES

04.09.2021

Story by Brad Rhen 

Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

PHILADELPHIA – Approximately 150 Pennsylvania National Guard members are supporting a second COVID-19 community vaccination center in Philadelphia.

The vaccination center is known as the Esperanza Community Vaccination Center (ECVC) and is located in North Philadelphia. It is a partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Pa. National Guard team supporting the center includes medical specialists who are trained to perform tasks like administering injections, and general-purpose personnel who can perform non-medical tasks, such as setting up and administrative functions.

The Pa. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen supporting this site are in addition to the 40-plus Guard members who have been supporting the Center City Vaccination Center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia since mid-March.

“The Pennsylvania National Guard is honored to be supporting this vaccination center,” said Brig. Gen. Edwards S. Little Jr., assistant adjutant general for the Pa. National Guard, who is serving as the dual status commander for the two vaccinations centers in Philadelphia. “Our Soldiers and Airmen live in the same communities we serve in, and having the opportunity to help our friends and neighbors makes this mission even more special.”

The Pennsylvania National Guard has been supporting COVID-19 vaccine sites across the Commonwealth since mid-March. Guard members have supported more than 250,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. They were integral in vaccinating Pennsylvania teachers and staff.

• Date Taken: 04.09.2021
• Date Posted: 04.09.2021 15:48
• Story ID: 393486
• Location: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US