Carilion Clinic and Local Health Departments Have Collaborated to Vaccinate More than 9,000 in Southwest Virginia

Summary

Pace of vaccinations to increase in coming days

Carilion Clinic and local health departments in southwest Virginia have vaccinated more than 9,000 individuals in the last two weeks. As the supply of vaccines becomes more stable, Carilion and its VDH partners will aim to offer more large-scale events.

“Vaccinating our community is our number one priority,” said Chad Alvarez, Pharm. D., senior director of retail pharmacy for Carilion and a leader of the organization’s vaccination efforts. “We’re very appreciative of the support and coordination we have seen from our local health departments. There is no way we could do it alone.”

Carilion, the local departments of health and local governments have piloted several approaches to vaccinations.

In Giles County, Carilion Giles Community Hospital and Giles County Administration, led by Chris McKlarney, have vaccinated more than 1,300 community members, including first responders, community health care works and teachers.
In the New River Valley, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center has worked with the New River Health District to vaccinate approximately 1,400 Carilion employees and community health care workers.
In Franklin County, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital worked with the West Piedmont Health District to vaccinate community health care workers and first responders.
In Lexington, Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital in partnership with the Central Shenandoah Health District vaccinated 500 community members meeting 1a and 1b priority criteria last week.
In Roanoke City, Carilion and the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts have vaccinated approximately 3,500 community members and are preparing for regular vaccination clinics that will administer shots to approximately 2,000 people per day.

In Tazewell, Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital has worked with the Cumberland Plateau Health District to vaccinate more than 300 community members in the priority groups.

As more and more community members become eligible for vaccinations per the Governor’s guidance and as vaccine supplies continue to expand, vaccination efforts will scale up accordingly. The best way for individuals in category 1b to indicate their interest in being vaccinated is by filling out the appropriate health district’s survey.

Alleghany Health District - Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties; cities of Covington and Salem
Central Shenandoah Health District - Rockingham, Augusta, Rockbridge, Bath and Highland counties; cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington and Buena Vista
Cumberland Plateau Health District - Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties
Mount Rogers Health District - Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington and Wythe counties; cities of Bristol and Galax
New River Health District - Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties; city of Radford
Roanoke City Health District - City of Roanoke
West Piedmont Health District - Henry, Franklin and Patrick counties; city of Martinsville

For more information about the rollout, visit VDH’s website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.