Brunswick County earns national achievement award for COVID-19 vaccine initiative
MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County Health Services has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
“I am thankful to NACo for bestowing such a prestigious award to Brunswick County,” said Deputy County Manager David Stanley. “We along with our partners* launched this vaccine initiative to protect the health and safety of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of our team members worked tirelessly to defend our residents against the virus and continue to do so through our pop-up clinics and vaccine appointments. I would like to thank the staff and our partners who were able to make this initiative a success.”
NACo recognized Health Services for the following program: Roll Up Those Sleeves: COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative. The COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative launched and managed the administering of COVID-19 vaccinations. The goal for the vaccine campaign was to provide individual protection and a lessened likelihood of transmission. Health Services worked with state and community partners to implement and conduct drive-through pop-up clinics, a mass vaccination site, and homebound vaccinations to those in need. From December 2020 through February 2021, Brunswick County Health Services administered over 41,000 vaccinations. You can read more about the award here.
“I am honored to serve our community with this hardworking team of people,” Health Director Cris Harrelson said. “I would like to thank the many staff members and partners that contributed to the success of Brunswick County’s vaccine initiative. While the award was not our goal when we implemented this initiative, I am grateful that NACo recognized our efforts and found them worthy of national distinction. This NACo Achievement Award is a testament to Brunswick County’s dedication and determination to serve some of our most vulnerable residents amid the public health pandemic.”
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
Health Services’ recent accolade marks the sixth NACo Achievement Award Brunswick County has received in the past three years. Previous awards include:
- Code Administration’s Remote Video Inspections Program (2020)
- Emergency Services’ Access and Functional Needs Registry (2020)
- Operation Services’ Multi-Jurisdictional Disaster Debris Operations (2020)
- Tax Administration’s Paperless Tax Appraisal Technology (2021)
- Code Administration’s Online Permit Portal (2021)
Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. This year’s Achievement Awards were given to programs that showcased how counties work every day to build healthy, safe, and thriving communities.
You can follow Brunswick County Health Services on Facebook and Twitter, and visit https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/health/ to see the department’s latest news and events.
ABOUT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. Learn more at www.naco.org
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*Partners include but were not limited to Brunswick County Community College, UNC-Wilmington Nursing Student Program, Brunswick County Schools, Brunswick County Emergency Services, Brunswick County Volunteers, Brunswick County Parks and Recreation, Brunswick County Department of Social Services, Brunswick County Operation Services, Brunswick County Government General Staff, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), North Carolina National Guard, Brunswick Novant Hospital, Dosher Memorial Hospital, Goshen Medical, Commwell Health, Community Care of North Carolina, St. James Fire Department, Brunswick Electric Membership Corp., Focus Broadband, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the South Brunswick Islands Rotary Club.
Download Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzQoFw
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact the Communications Director at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov