March 9, 2021
Media Contact: Robert Parker, public information officer, Western Region, robert.parker@vdh.virginia.gov
Pittsylvania/Danville Health District Holds 2nd Dose COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in Chatham
(DANVILLE, Va.) – The Virginia Department of Health’s Pittsylvania/Danville Health District, with the support of local COVID-19 response partners, will hold another vaccination clinic Saturday, March 13 at Chatham Middle School, 11650 US-29 in Chatham. All available appointments scheduled for this event are full.
This closed “point of dispensing” (POD) event is to provide second doses ONLY FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE AT CHATHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL ON FEBRUARY 13, 2021.
“Initially, we spent weeks focused on providing first doses to those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19, and of experiencing more serious effects of illness. This weekend we continue a series of second dose PODs for those individuals, with Saturday’s event at Chatham Middle School,” said Scott J. Spillmann, MD, MPH, health director, Pittsylvania/Danville and Southside Health Districts. “We must emphasize that it is only for second doses for those who were vaccinated at the Chatham Middle School POD on February 13. We will NOT have enough doses or staffing to give any first doses, or to vaccinate other individuals.”
“We also ask that everyone who attends the POD continue to follow the three Ws: Wear a mask, Watch your distance (stay at least six feet apart) and Wash your hands,” Dr. Spillmann continued. “We will have areas for waiting at safe distances both before and after vaccination, and have arranged more private vaccination areas for those with special needs. We ask all who are to be vaccinated to please wear ‘vaccine ready’ clothing if possible (giving easy access to your upper arm) and that you arrive at your appointed time and bring the CDC vaccination card given to you with your first dose, or driver’s license or other documentation confirming your identity.”
“We continue to need volunteers to support our vaccination efforts, particularly those who are certified to give vaccines,” Dr. Spillmann continued. “Through the Medical Reserve Corps, anyone can volunteer to provide medical and non-medical support to help our communities recover from this pandemic.” For more information, visit www.vamrc.org.
These PODs are presented with cooperation and support from Sovah Health-Danville, the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, the Averett University and Danville Community College Schools of Nursing, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers.
Collaborative and ongoing efforts are under way to vaccinate those in Phases 1a and 1b who are most at risk of falling ill with COVID-19, and most critical to healthcare, public safety and the essential functions of society and to reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities. Thus far, nearly 10,500 vaccinations have been administered in Danville and nearly 15,500 in Pittsylvania County.
Though vaccine supply remains limited, everyone should pre-register for a future vaccine clinic, at www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or the COVID Vaccine Hotline at 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682). English- and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Translation services also are available, in more than 100 languages.
For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.
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MEDIA NOTE:
A media tour of the POD, and an opportunity to capture videos and photos of the interior (but not interviews) will be offered Saturday morning from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. Interviews with selected agency representatives and local government officials will be available outside the facility from 8 to 9 a.m.
If you are interested in either, please contact Caleb Ayers, public relations manager, Pittsylvania County, at 434-432-3575, 434-713-5974, or caleb.ayers@pittgov.org, NO LATER THAN 6 p.m., Friday, March 12.
To protect patient privacy, access inside the facility is not available, other than during the 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. media tour. You may respectfully approach attendees outside of the facility and talk to them there during the 8 to 9 a.m. availability, if they provide consent.