WTOP reported this week that Loudoun County put out a call for volunteers to beef up the ranks of its Medical Reserve Corps, which has played a key role in the community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dentists and dental team members across Virginia have been playing a key role in serving as vaccinators throughout the pandemic, and the Medical Reserve Corps is expecting a greater need for volunteers this Fall, according to Dr. David Goodfriend, the director of the Loudoun County Health Department:

“We do expect, within the next month or so, that the (Food and Drug Administration) and the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) will be recommending vaccinations for 5-11 year-olds. And that’s really going to be important that when that recommendation comes that we can get those kids vaccinated as quickly as possible,” Goodfriend said.

While nonmedical personnel are needed along with medical professionals, Goodfriend said there is a particular need among professionals for those who are comfortable vaccinating young children.

“Hopefully we can get them full vaccinated before Thanksgiving,” Goodfriend said.

Dentists and dental team members can sign up to volunteer and find the contact information for their local MRC unit at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/mrc/

You can also hear from VDA members Dr. McKinley Price and Dr. Todd Pillion about why they have been volunteering to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in their communities.