BLACKSTONE, Va. – The Virginia National Guard is supporting a community COVID-19 vaccination clinic opened April 19 by the Virginia Department of Health at the VNG armory in Blackstone.
Virginia Army and Air National Guard medics trained and certified by VDH administer the vaccines. Additional Soldiers are assisting with logistics, administrative tasks and traffic management.
“We are excited to partner with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Virginia National Guard to offer another opportunity for individuals in the Piedmont Health District to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Sulola Adekoya, acting director of the Piedmont Health District. “We encourage everyone in our health district to take advantage of this opportunity and get a vaccine as soon as possible.”
“It’s the second site, the other in Charlottesville, where you have Virginia National Guard members who are doing vaccinations as well as providing complete logistics support for the site,” said Lt. Col. Juanita Rohler, commander of the VNG task force. "When you walk in, you’ll see a lot of green uniforms, more so than civilians. However, the local health district is the lead agency in the effort and planning process. It’s a great partnership across the state with the localities."
The CVC, sponsored by the Piedmont Health District, will operate four days a week. Up to 250 doses per day will be administered by appointment only.
This community vaccination center will not replace other local, small-scale efforts to deliver COVID-19. This site is managed by the state and made possible by funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The site was selected after the VDEM conducted an analysis to determine the communities with the largest number of vulnerable populations.