2 DeKalb Health Centers To Get $6.5M For Expanding Vaccine Access

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Two community health centers in DeKalb County will receive a total of $6.5 million in American Rescue Plan money for expanding COVID-19 vaccine access and treatment operations.

The $6.5 million is part of the ARP's investments to expand access to vaccines in underserved communities, according to a Tuesday news release. Oakhurst Medical Centers in Stone Mountain will receive a majority of the funds — $5,481,500 to be exact — and Recovery Consultants, Inc. in Decatur will get the remaining $976,875.

“Our Community Health Centers have always been the go-to source for my constituents seeking quality, affordable health care and now they are critical players in our response to COVID-19,” Rep. Hank Johnson, whose district includes these health centers, said in a news release. “More help is on the way to them through the American Rescue Plan so they can redouble their efforts to get more shots in arms and save more lives from this pandemic.”

The health centers are allowed to use the money to do the following:

• expand COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and treatment for vulnerable populations;
• deliver preventative and primary health care services to people at higher risk of contracting COVID-19;
• and expand health centers' operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units.