Comment on Thousands of Air Guard, Reserves don’t meet vaccine deadline

WASHINGTON — More than 11,000 members of the Air National Guard and Reserve did not meet Thursday’s deadline to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and could begin to face consequences if they don’t get the mandated shots or receive an exemption. Air Guard members who report for their monthly drill this weekend will be allowed to participate and will be paid — whether they are vaccinated or not, but those without shots will have the opportunity to get the vaccine when they report to their base, according to Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. There are about 107,000 Air Guard members and 68,000 in the Reserves, and about 3,500 have received medical or administrative exemptions.