KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WATE) — The Tennessee Department of Health sent a notice to every county health department statewide that three federal grants had been terminated, and that their services were no longer required.
The following grants were terminated:
- ELC-EDx, or Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) – Building and Strengthening Epidemiology, Laboratory and Health Information Systems Capacity;
- CDC-RFA-IP19-1901 Immunization and Vaccines for Children
- Tennessee COVID-19 Health Disparities Initiative
“Due to this decision by the federal government, the funding source for your services has been eliminated, which unfortunately means that the Department no longer requires your services at this time,” TDOH wrote in their announcement to the Knox County Health Department. “Please, immediately stop all activities related to these grants.”
KCHD explaiend that the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity grant “helped fund multiple positions and supported vaccine administration; the public information telephone line; and various outreach and educational opportunities over the past several years.” With the loss of funding, six full-time workers and one part-time worker were let go…