The need to divert National Guard troops to Washington to provide security for next week’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden could hinder the distribution of coronavirus vaccines in various US states, a Democratic lawmaker said.

Democratic Representative Tim Ryan, who chairs a House committee that oversees the US Capitol Police and security around the Capitol, said that National Guard troops could also be dispatched to several state capitals amid reports that Trump supporters will be staging protests around the nation next week.

Ryan said he spoke with National Guard officials and was told that the huge new demands on the troops could strain some operations, Reuters reported.

“The vaccine issue (distribution) would be affected by this. That’s just food for thought about the ripple effect happening because of what we’re dealing with in Washington,” Ryan told reporters.

“It will probably take away from some of the vaccine distribution in some of the states if we call on them” to come to Washington,” Ryan said.