(WDBJ) – Soon more people in our hometowns will be allowed to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. A handful of health districts will begin Phase 1B vaccinations starting Monday. That group includes essential workers, such as teachers, supermarket workers and others, and people aged 75 and over.
Health districts such as the New River and Roanoke & Alleghany Health Districts are moving to Phase 1B within days. If you want to get vaccinated, you must register in advance and make an appointment.
“This is truly the potential turning point in this terrible pandemic. . . It’s so exciting to know that we finally have a tool that can make a difference, ”said Cynthia Morrow, District Health Director for the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts.
Monday, COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed to many in the NRV and the health districts of Roanoke and Alleghany.
“There are literally hundreds of thousands of people in the Phase 1B category in Virginia. It will take us time to get through Phase 1B, it will take weeks or even a month, and so we really need people who understand that we need patience, we need flexibility, ”said Morrow.
For key workers included in Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout plan, the next question is how to get the vaccine. Health officials say you can get the vaccine through your work clinic or residential clinic. But for that to happen, you need to pre-register and make an appointment through your clinics.
If you identify as Stage 1B and work at a smaller or self-employed business, are 75 or older, or are not affiliated with a work or residential clinic, you can pre-register through the health district websites.
“It is critical that people register in advance, again, all clinics are closed clinics, which means they are not available for walk-ins,” said Morrow.
Once you pre-register, the Virginia Department of Health will contact you to schedule an appointment with a local health department, pharmacy, or healthcare provider.
Within phase 1B, there are priorities and law enforcement and first responders are at the top of the list. Health officials say pre-registration is not a guarantee that you will get an appointment. “Because it is our responsibility to ensure that we distribute the vaccine in accordance with the priority strategies,” said Morrow.
11 other Virginia’s health districts, including the Mount Rogers Health District, will also begin their Phase 1B rollout plans next week.
Health officials say if you are in Stage 1C or the general public, don’t pre-register. Phase 1C includes other essential employees and people aged 65 to 74. It also includes people with a high risk medical condition or disability.
You can check the VDH website for more information about what stage of the vaccine you were admitted to and when you can get the vaccine.
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