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To the editor:

The current situation regarding the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in our city is a serious concern. Those concerns are justified and recognized by your elected officials and city staff.  There has been a lack of information regarding when, where and how to be vaccinated.

Concerns have been compounded by the inability to speak to health department representatives, difficulty in registering online and the Suffolk Health Department being closed.

I want the citizens of Suffolk to know that our City Council and city staff have been working diligently to provide information and facilitate the vaccination process. To that end, we have informed the Virginia Department of Health that we are prepared to offer the following:

• Develop a list of available vaccination sites
• Assistance with any public information postings
• Police assistance with traffic flow at vaccination sites, should it be necessary
• Assistance establishing a call center to supplement Western Tidewater Health District staff in addressing public inquiries
• Provide qualified personnel to assist with vaccinations

I know these are trying times, and uncertainty only exacerbates the issues at hand. Moving forward, we will continue to advocate for our citizens and strive to improve the services provided.

Mike Duman

Mayor