December 21, 2020
Media Contact: Breanne Forbes Hubbard, population health manager, Breanne.forbes-hubbard@vdh.virginia.gov, 276-759-8297
Mount Rogers Health District Seeking Health Care Providers for COVID-19 Vaccinations
(Marion, Va.) – Mount Rogers Health District (MRHD) and local health systems have been working together to identify community health care providers who are in the Phase 1a priority population — the first group eligible to receive limited supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine. The health district will be holding special closed point of dispensing (POD) vaccination clinics beginning this week.
The Phase 1a group includes health system personnel, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), primary care medical offices, dentists, and others who provide health services. Although Phase 1a also includes long-term care residents and staff, they are being vaccinated through a federal partnership with CVS and Walgreen’s, and will not be vaccinated through the health district clinics.
“We are delighted to be able to distribute a safe and effective vaccine to health workers in our community,” said Dr. Karen Shelton, director of the Mount Rogers Health District. “This virus has had a devastating effect on our community. Vaccination is the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The MRHD and local health systems are reaching out to health care providers in the community, but if you are a health care provider and have not been contacted about a COVID-19 vaccine during Phase 1a, please reach out to crystal.milhorne@vdh.virginia.gov or breanne.forbes-hubbard@vdh.virginia.gov for more information.
“Although the vaccine supply is limited right now, we anticipate continuing to receive shipments of COVID-19 vaccine,” said Shelton. “We will work hard to vaccinate those in our community based on the priority group order as quickly as our supply allows. We look forward to working through the priority groups until we can provide the vaccine to all in the community.”
“It is important to note that mitigation strategies will still be necessary while the nation is being vaccinated,” continued Shelton. “It is not time to let down our guard. Please continue to wear your mask, social distance, stay home when sick, and wash your hands. We are nearing the end of this marathon, but still have miles to go.”
Health care providers are encouraged to attend educational webinars about the COVID-19 vaccine sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health:
- Tuesday, December 22, 7 p.m.: Nursing Community
- Tuesday, December 29, 7 p.m.: Pharmacy Community
Log-in information is available on the VDH website.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine.
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