Augusta National partners with Augusta University Health to help with COVID-19 vaccinations
Augusta National Golf Club will spearhead a $2 million effort to get more people the COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with AU Health System, the club announced Wednesday.
Augusta National will help provide more people vaccine by offering its Washington Square property off Washington Road as a central vaccination site run by AU Health, Chairman Fred Ridley said. The club will provide a matching $1 million donation with $1 million from the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area to fund the effort.
It will also include pop-up clinics in underserved areas of Augusta, such as the Harrisburg and Laney-Walker neighborhoods, The funding will also allow the East Central Health District to double its efforts to a second mobile clinic, the club announced. The new initiative aims particularly to reach those for who don’t have transportation or are experiencing other barriers to vaccination.
“Helping expand access to COVID-19 vaccinations is another meaningful way to do more for our neighbors in the Augusta community that has supported the Masters Tournament for more than 80 years,” Ridley said. “The dedication of (AU Health), Georgia Department of Public Health and all health care providers working courageously during this pandemic is inspiring, and they deserve our enduring gratitude and support. We hope these resources will have an immediate impact on their efforts to protect those most vulnerable and our community at large through more vaccinations.”
This follows a similar $2 million effort earlier in the pandemic by Augusta National and the Community Foundation to expand COVID-19 testing at AU Health, which helped it expand its drive-through testing and other services.
