Arizona PBS
April 27, 2021
WASHINGTON – When Gov. Doug Ducey sent hundreds of National Guard members to help at the border last week, the move may have been unexpected – but it was not unusual for the troops that have spent a year shuttling from one crisis to another.
From stocking pandemic-depleted grocery shelves to fighting wildfires, from setting up vaccination sites to providing support in cities hit by civil unrest, the nearly 8,300 members of the Arizona National Guard have been constantly pulled in different directions.
“I haven’t been bored one day since we started this,” said Col. Tom Leeper, who was charged with running the Arizona National Guard’s Task Force Medical last year.
Feb. 17, 2021
Lt. Col. Joann Shoffner, left, and Maj. Mary Kehl of the Arizona Army National Guard fill syringes with COVID-19 vaccine Feb. 9 in Phoenix. Health officials say Arizonans who have received the first dose should be able to get the second, despite the delivery delays. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin/U.S. Air National Guard)
PHOENIX – Winter storms engulfing much of the U.S. are delaying shipments of COVID-19 vaccines and supplies, forcing delays to long-awaited appointments for some residents of Arizona.
The delays are the latest obstacle for health officials in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, which has had to overcome misinformation, skepticism and ongoing scheduling issues.