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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Washington County Health Department cut the ribbon on its new vaccination building on Friday.
The two-line drive-thru vaccination site was funded by a COVID-19-based grant to improve accessibility and public health preparedness, a release from the Tennessee Department of Health said.
“If we have another pandemic, it’s a huge deal,” Ralph Alvarado, Tennessee Department of Health commissioner, said. “I mean, so that’s part of it is we’re using this money to prepare for another emergency. You don’t think about it until the moment arrives.”
The facility will function like a traditional drive-thru service to help maintain social distancing practices. It will serve as a key location for vaccinations, testing and other medical countermeasures, the release said.
“The Washington County Health Department vaccination building is an example of how we are innovating to ensure public health services are available to everyone,” Sydney Butterfield, Washington County Health Department director, said. “This facility will help us to continue to respond efficiently during a public health emergency.”
Other ideas are circulating as to what the drive-thru could be used for, including food distribution.
State Rep. Rebecca Alexander also attended the ceremony.