The National Association of Counties recently recognized Brunswick County Health Services with an achievement award for the county’s COVID vaccine initiative.
 
“The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents,” according to a news release from Brunswick County officials.
 
The recognition focused on the health department’s Roll Up Those Sleeves: COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative. The department “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,” officials said.
 
Between December 2020 and February 2021, the department administered more than 41,000 vaccinations.
 
“I am thankful to NACo for bestowing such a prestigious award to Brunswick County,” Brunswick County deputy county manager David Stanley said in the release. “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.”
 
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the services counties provide.
 
The association also this year recognized New Hanover County for several programs. The health-related honors focused on the consolidation plan of the county’s health department and social services department into a single organization as well as a school-based mental health program providing psychotherapeutic services that include individual, family and group therapy to any student in the school system with no out-of-pocket cost to parents.