ARS Scientists and Staff Deployed to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines
In January 2021, President Biden released the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The plan calls on the federal government to contribute resources, facilities, personnel, and expertise to contain the pandemic. As part of this effort, HHS recently issued an amendment to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, designating eligible Federal government employees to administer COVID-19 vaccines. USDA has deployed more 450 volunteers to support the vaccination effort, including over 40 ARS scientists and support staff on lengthy deployments across the country.
ARS employees shared their stories below on why they volunteered and the impact this effort is having on local communities struggling to administer the COVID vaccines: