OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — New Oklahoma National Guard Adjutant General Thomas Mancino has relaxed the Guard's policy on COVID-19 vaccinations.

"No negative administrative or legal action will be taken against Guardsmen who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine," he said in a memo dated Thursday, a day after Gov. Kevin Stitt named him to replace Gen. Michael Thompson.

Thompson supported vaccinations and had said members and federal civilian employees refusing them would be counseled on unspecified consequences.

A spokesperson for Stitt, a Republican who previously asked U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to...