Coronavirus Vaccination Grant Awarded To Rappahannock District

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Mary Washington Hospital Foundation awarded a $5,000 mini-grant to the Rappahannock Area Health District to purchase supplies in preparation for mass vaccination against the coronavirus, the health district announced Friday.

The health district plans to use the grant funds to buy supplies necessary for vaccination, including syringes, needles, Band-aids and alcohol swabs, as well as personal protective equipment for vaccinators, such as gloves, gowns, face shields and masks.

“Though a vaccine that protects against COVID-19 is not yet available, planning and preparation for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is already underway at RAHD,” Rappahannock Area Health District Acting Health Director Dr. Denise Bonds said in a statement. “This award will help the health district to begin to build our stockpile of supplies.”

Funding from the mini-grant also will cover some items unique to the coronavirus vaccination. Since many vaccines will be delivered in an outdoor drive-thru format, the health department will be able to purchase large outdoor heaters to keep staff and volunteers warm during the winter months.

For more information on Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccination response, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/covid19vaccine/. For more information about the Rappahannock Area Health District, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/Rappahannock.