The Virginia Department of Health’s New River 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.
These mobile clinics will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to those age 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 committed to providing convenient opportunities to get vaccinated across the region, not just in the more populated areas,” said Noelle Bissell, M.D., director of the New River Health District. “These mobile vaccination clinics will help us achieve that.
“For some people, getting time off work, childcare, or transportation may be a hurdle to getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Bissell. “By going to them with mobile vaccine clinics, we’re reducing those obstacles and making sure everyone can get access to the vaccine.”
These vendor-operated, mobile vaccination clinics will move from place to place to support local health department efforts in the New River 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.
“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been very thoroughly tested and proven safe,” explained Dr. Bissell, “and it offers robust immunity against COVID-19. It’s really incredible that with just one quick shot, you get a potentially lifesaving vaccine that is going to allow you to go back to so many activities safely, whether it’s school or work or seeing friends and family. With the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you can get one shot and you’ll be protected against COVID-19, which has disrupted so much of our lives for over a year.”
The schedule for mobile vaccination clinics in the New River Health District is as follows:
Sunday, May 23, Noon to 5 p.m.
Meadowbrook Public Library, 267 Alleghany Springs Road, Shawsville
Monday, May 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
YMCA Thrift Shop, 1000 North Main St., Blacksburg
Wednesday, May 26, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Auburn United Methodist Church, 3940 Five Points Road, Riner
Friday, May 28, 2 to 7 p.m.
Floyd County Volunteer Fire Department #2, 187 Firehouse Road, NW, Willis
Saturday, May 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Floyd County Farmers Market, 203 South Locust St., Floyd
Wednesday, June 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pulaski Department of Social Services, 53 Commerce St., Pulaski,
Thursday, June 3, 3 to 7 p.m.
Dublin Baptist Church, 100 Hawkins St., Dublin
Sunday, June 6, 1 to 4 p.m.
Timberlake Building, 120 North Main St., Pearisburg
Monday, June 7, 5 to 9 p.m.
Narrows Volunteer Fire Department, 133 Center St., Narrows