WEST PIEDMONT HEALTH DISTRICT ANNOUNCES MOBILE VACCINATION CLINICS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY

4 years ago cable12ynn

Syringe and red cross

MARTINSVILLE, VA – The Virginia Department of Health’s West Piedmont Health District, in coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and other supporting partners, has announced the dates and locations of its first week of mobile vaccination clinics.

The two vaccination clinics scheduled for Franklin County include May 25th from 4 to 9 p.n. at the Franklin County Animal Shelter (80 State Street, Rocky Mount, VA) and June 6th at Franklin Heights Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (110 Hilltop Drive, Rocky Mount, VA).

These mobile clinics will offer free COVID-19 vaccines for those ages 18 and up in a series of smaller and more local clinics, primarily in rural and underserved areas where vaccine access can be challenging. They are designed to reach unvaccinated Virginians at times and places that are closer and more convenient.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer more vaccination opportunities for the people in our health district. As evidence for the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines grows all around us, we know that people who haven’t been vaccinated yet will be looking for opportunities to gain immunity to COVID-19,” said Kerry Gateley, M.D., director, West Piedmont Health District.

These vendor-operated, mobile vaccination clinics will move from place to place to support local health department efforts in the West Piedmont Health District and across the state.

These mobile clinics will offer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, thus eliminating the need for a mobile clinic to have to return to a particular area for second-dose shots. For more information about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, please talk to your healthcare provider or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/191/2021/05/JJInformation.pdf.

“While other COVID-19 vaccines remain available, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has the advantage of requiring only one dose, meaning a person can achieve ‘fully vaccinated’ status in two weeks instead of five weeks or more for the other vaccines,” said Dr. Gateley.

To find a vaccination site near you, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or vaccinefinder.org. You can learn more about the vaccine, its safety and answers to frequently asked questions at VDH’s website and CDC’s website.