A shortage of the COVID-19 vaccine offering has forced Inova Health System to cancel first dose appointments for people in Group 1B in Northern Virginia starting Tuesday, a group that includes employees at Fairfax County Public Schools.
The news comes as elected leaders appeal directly to the governor for more doses.
At Inova’s large vaccination clinic on the main campus, it had given as many as 3,000 injections per day since January 15, including to thousands of FCPS employees.
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“We understand and share the frustration this news brings to our patients. When we receive more inventory stock, we will first prioritize patients who have scheduled an appointment and then focus on opening further appointments to eligible groups. Inova said on her website.
People who have already received their first dose will still have appointments for their second dose, but Inova said vaccine supply has now been severely reduced.
Meanwhile, Northern Virginia families like Maryanne King and her parents know all too well the dangers of the coronavirus. When the Springfield family became infected last fall, King’s father nearly died.
‘My father was just one step from a ventilator. We were beside ourselves, ”said King. The fact is, you don’t have to worry.
All three are eligible for the vaccine: King because of a serious medical condition, her parents because of their age.
After days and hours on the phone, she finally scored vaccination appointments at a small clinic, but only for her parents.
She said, ‘We are just 65 and over and we don’t know when we can do your group yet,’ ” recalled King. “I collapsed. It was like a knife to the heart. I hung up and I looked at Mother and said, ‘What am I supposed to do?’ “
I collapsed. It was like a knife to the heart. I hung up, looked at Mother and said, “What should I do?”
Maryanne King when she learned she wouldn’t be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine
It’s an experience that takes place in a variety of ways in Northern Virginia.
Health departments found out late last week that the nationwide vaccine shortage means their state allocation has now been drastically reduced.
“We just don’t have enough supply at the moment, that’s the problem. We don’t have stock, ”said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.
Wilson, along with 13 other elected leaders in Northern Virginia, has just sent a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam seeking a larger portion of the vaccine supply in Virginia.
Thousands of people in Arlington found out their appointments to get COVID-19 vaccines had been canceled at Virginia Hospital Center. News4’s Darcy Spencer Reports.
In it, they asked Northam to “prioritize our region as we are now ready and able to vaccinate significant numbers.”
A Northam spokesman said the governor shares the frustration, but hopes that, in conjunction with President Joe Biden’s team, the offer will increase in the coming weeks.
King hopes that the stock shot will increase in time for her.
‘I’m afraid. I don’t want to have it anymore, ”said King.