HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania National Guard members could aid in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine under legislation approved by the Senate on Wednesday, according to Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, who supported the bill.

National Guard units have already been conducting tests, sanitizing facilities, providing logistical support and delivering meals and personal protective equipment during the pandemic. House Bill 326 would expand their authority to distribute and administer the vaccine to eligible Pennsylvanians who want to receive it.

The bill would allow the National Guard to operate under the guidance of the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Human Services to help collect, secure and transport doses of the vaccine. In addition, National Guard members who have the necessary training would be permitted to administer the vaccine upon request.

In addition to providing administrative and logistical support, the legislation also allows for the creation of regional vaccine distribution sites across the Commonwealth. The governor would also be required to submit a report to the General Assembly within 45 days providing details on the integration of the National Guard into the state’s vaccine distribution plan.

The bill could help improve Pennsylvania’s troubled roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine. The state currently ranks 46th in the nation in terms of the percentage of distributed vaccines that have been administered.