530 Jobs Lost As Trump Cuts $219M In VA Health Programs

VIRGINIA — Virginia programs providing immunization and vaccinations to children and COVID-19 services for high risk and underserved populations will lose around $219 million in grant funding due to President Trump’s recent cuts to state health programs, according to new information from the Virginia Department of Health.

More than 500 job cuts will happen as a result of the budget cuts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed VDH on March 25 that it was cutting several COVID-19-related grants prior to their original end date. Funding to the targeted programs ended on midnight March 24, according to the state health agency.

The administration’s action cancels an $11.4 billion grant from the CDC and around $1 billion from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, according to the story first reported by NBC News.

“No additional activities can be conducted, and no additional costs may be incurred, as it relates to these funds,” said the notices sent out by the CDC.

On Thursday, Virginia health officials released information on the effect Trump’s cuts would have on the three COVID-19 era grants:

CK19-1904 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC-COVID Funds)

• Previous grant end date: July 2026
• Total Award: $679,738,114 Balance: $158,591,212

CDC-RFA-IP19-1901 Immunization and Vaccines for Children (COVID Funds)

• Previous grant end date: June 2025
• Total Award: $163,390,008 Balance: $56,029,756

Virginia Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved

• Previous grant end date: December 2025
• Total Award: $27,344,292 Balance: $4,562,403

“These funds were originally awarded specific to COVID-19 mitigation efforts,” according to VDH. “The total unspent balances on these grants as of today is approximately $219,000,000. These unspent balances are subject to change as final expenses are closed out.”

Related: Billions Cut From State, Federal Health Programs: What To Know In VA

“Affected staff, contractors, and partner organizations have been notified,” VDH said. “At this time, 13 full-time positions and 517 contract positions have been placed on hold or eliminated. Where appropriate, personnel in eliminated positions have been considered for vacant positions within VDH.”

“Trump’s decision to cut critical public health funding means frontline workers defending against potential measles and bird flu outbreaks across Virginia will lose their jobs,” U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Alexandria) said in March.

The congressman also called out Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin for continuing to “defend Trump's harmful actions” rather than calling out the harm such cuts would have on Virginians.

State health officials said they will continue to evaluate the impact Trump’s cuts will have on operations.

“Over the coming weeks, VDH leadership will determine whether and if alternative funding sources are available and appropriate for impacted services. VDH remains focused on providing core essential public health functions across the Commonwealth and local Health Departments are still operating and open for services,” according to VDH.