Covid Vaccine Deployment Initiative

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:

Steve Behan, from the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, KS, deployed to Lawton, OK:

“We have all enjoyed helping the overwhelmed local health departments. With us working, they are now able to have some staff go back and take care of the normal day-to-day operations as well as go to other remote locations to run vaccination clinics. I volunteered to support our mission, and here I am doing just that, supporting the mission of getting people vaccinated. It has truly been a great experience.”

Massaro Ueti checks in a patient

Massaro Ueti, from ARS’s Animal Disease Research Center in Pullman, WA, deployed to Reno, NV:

“My single motivation to volunteer was to save lives. As soon as I began administrating the vaccine, I saw the light return to this community. When I came to Reno, I thought I was helping to fight COVID 19, but I found out that I was helping to fight the fear and hopelessness that had gripped this community as well. I will never forget seeing the light of newfound hope return to each person that I vaccinated. It was a life change experience. I am glad to be part of the wonderful team that save lives.”

James Zhu administers the vaccine to a patient

James Zhu, from ARS’s Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Orient Point, NY, deployed to Oklahoma City, OK:

“The reason to volunteer is to provide service to the public. I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute, and it is very nice to hear the gratitude for our efforts from the vaccinees.”

Meagan Schweiger, from ARS’s Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, PA, deployed to Buffalo, NY:

“I previously worked for the Peace Corps in Lesotho, Africa. Whenever I think of my host village there, I miss the strong community that I saw in action—whatever you needed, your neighbor would readily help you attain it, even if it meant taking from their own supply. I’d like to continue in the same spirit here in the U.S., by giving my time and skill to help communities in need. We should remember that getting a vaccine is not just for the benefit of the individual, but also for the community as a whole.”

ARS Researchers Tuo Wenbin, Adalberto A. Pérez de León, and Charles Li at the vaccine center in Waldorf, MD

Adalberto A. Pérez de León, from ARS’s San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center in Parlier, CA, deployed to Waldorf, MD:

“It is an honor to serve this wonderful country of ours by promoting public health through the combined federal effort led by FEMA to vaccinate and protect our fellow citizens from Covid-19. This is part of the USDA vision and is at the core of the ARS mission where our scientific efforts contribute to the prosperity of our society.”

Jana Mladek, from ARS’s Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit in Auburn, AL, deployed to Maryland’s Mobile Response Unit.

Jana Mladek, from ARS’s Aquatic Animal Health Research Laboratory in Auburn, AL, deployed to Maryland’s Mobile Response Unit:

“I believed we all had to do a “part” or do “what you can” and knew this was something I could do. I’m surrounded by the support of wonderful compassionate people for whom I am thankful for. I am certain this mission will be successful and I am willing to stay as long as everyone who wants a vaccine can get one.”

ARS’s Sherry Steadman and Jana Mladek in front of a mobile unit and mini lab

Shari Steadham, from ARS’s National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment in Ames, IA, Maryland’s Mobile Response Unit:

“I’ve wanted to help in some way during this pandemic. I’m glad to be part of a team that will provide vaccinations to people who want to receive it but may have difficulty going to another site.”

Robin Ogden, from ARS’s Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit in Madison, WI, deployed to Pueblo, CO:

“I volunteered to help vaccinate individuals, because so many more people need to be vaccinated and hopefully we can get as many people as possible vaccinated before the fourth wave hits in full force. It would be great to get the world back to normal – as close to normal as soon as we can.”

David Schneider checks in residents to receive vaccines

David Schneider, from ARS’s Animal Disease Research Unit in Pullman, WA, who was deployed to Reno, NV:

“I volunteered to make a positive difference in individual lives and help end this global crisis. I’m grateful to be part of an Agency that responded so quickly to this call to action. I am also grateful for the diverse community of responders that came together in Washoe County, NV, and made a difference.”

Charles Li and other volunteers in Waldorf, MD, receive instructions for the day

Charles Li, from ARS’s Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, deployed to Waldorf, MD:

"Volunteering as a vaccinator is the most worthy event of my life, even though it has been full of the exhaustion during the inclement weather in open tents. I had opportunity to answer many questions about the vaccines, and I am glad that my knowledge in vaccines and as a vaccinator volunteer could positively help the local community reopening."

ARS’s Jane McBride (Food Processing and Sensory Quality Research Unit in New Orleans, LA), Stacy Byrd (Fruit and Tree Nut Research Unit in Byron, GA), and Tricia Delarosa (National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, KS) draw up vaccine shots to be administered to patients by a team of EMTs.

Tricia Delarosa, from ARS’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, KS, deployed to Maryland’s Mobile Response Unit:

“I volunteered because I believe this is the most important thing we can do to reclaim our lives and to protect our family and friends.”

Greta Buckmeier

Greta Buckmeier from ARS’s Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerryville, TX, deployed to Buffalo, NY

“I volunteered to honor my great uncle and aunt who passed last year from Covid-19. They were an inspiration to me and volunteered for Red Cross during their retirement years. I know they would be happy I am helping others and trying to do my part to bring some normalcy back to our lives.”

ARS volunteers (l-r) Justin Greenlee, Susan Brockmeier, Samantha Hau, Kelly Lager, Shuna Jones, Wenbin Tuo, Charles Li, and Beto Perez de Leon