Three federal grants terminated for Tennessee Department of Health, 7 Knox County Health workers laid off

Yahoo

02-04-2025

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
New trash containment system coming to downtown Knoxville
'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.
'KCHD is making some adjustments to operations, but it's important to understand that all critical health department services will continue and be available to our community without disruption,' wrote the department in a release. 'Although it was understood the grant would eventually come to an end, the notification to halt these activities immediately was sudden.'
According to the Centers for Disease Control, ELC funding is flexible funding awarded by the CDC. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Tracking Accountability in Government Grant System, or TAGGS, says the funding is meant to protect public health and safety by 'enhancing the capacity of public health agencies to effectively detect, respond, prevent and control known and emerging (or re-emerging) infectious diseases' The In 2024, Tennessee, received more than $9 million in core ELC funding, the CDC said.
The second grant terminated is connected to the Vaccines for Children Program through the CDC, which began following the measles epidemic between 1989 and 1991. According to the CDC, an investigation discovered that the cost of the measles vaccine was the primary reason for children who were unvaccinated, even in families with a regular healthcare provider.
What impact will new tariffs on imported cars, parts have on Tennessee?
In response to the epidemic, Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliate Act in 1993, which created the VCF, the CDC said. Since then, the program has provided vaccines at no cost to children who are eligible for the program through VFC Program enrolled public and private health care partners.
Lastly, The HHS's TAGGS dashboard states that the COVID-19 related grant was intended to help provide information on the best practices to reduce COVID-19 transmission across Tennessee to populations that were at a higher risk of contracting the virus or who were medically underserved.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.