New Oklahoma National Guard leader eases vaccine policy

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma National Guard’s new Adjutant General has relaxed Guard policy on COVID-19 vaccinations one day after taking command. A memo on Thursday from Gen. Thomas Mancino to Guard members says he’d take no action against those refusing the vaccine.

Former Adjutant Gen. Michael Thompson had supported the vaccinations and said uniformed members and federal civilian employees refusing them would be counseled on unspecified consequences.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, who’s asked the Pentagon to suspend the requirement for Oklahoma Guard members, removed Thompson in favor of Mancino. A Stitt spokesperson said the change wasn’t related to vaccination policy.