Local health districts distributing vaccines this week for people in phase 1B



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(WDBJ) – More people in our hometowns will soon be allowed to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Starting Monday, a handful of health districts will begin phase 1B vaccinations. This group includes essential workers, such as teachers, grocery store workers, and others, as well as those 75 and over.

Health districts like New River and Roanoke & Alleghany Health Districts will move to Phase 1B in just a few days. If you want to be vaccinated, you must pre-register and make an appointment in advance.

“This is really the potential turning point of 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 Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts.

On Monday, COVID-19 vaccines will be distributed to many people in NRV and Roanoke and Alleghany health districts.

“There are literally hundreds of thousands of people in the Phase 1B category in Virginia. It’s going to take us a long time to go through phase 1B, it’s going to take us weeks or even a month, and so we really need people to understand that we need patience, we need flexibility, ”said Morrow.

For essential workers included in Phase 1B of the vaccine deployment plan, the next question is how to get vaccinated. Health officials say you can get the vaccine at your work clinic or residential clinic. But for this, you must pre-register and make an appointment at your clinics.

If you identify yourself as Phase 1B and work in a smaller or independent company, are 75 years of age or older, or are not affiliated with a workplace or residential clinic, you can pre-register through the websites. of the health district.

“It’s critical that people pre-register, again all clinics are closed clinics which means they are not available for walk-in people,” Morrow said.

Once you have pre-registered, the Virginia Department of Health will contact you to make an appointment at a local health department, pharmacy, or health care provider.

In phase 1B, there are priorities, and law enforcement and first responders are at the top of the list. Health officials say pre-registration doesn’t guarantee you’ll get an appointment, “because it’s our responsibility to try to make sure we’re distributing the vaccine according to prioritization strategies,” he said. declared Morrow.

11 other health districts in Virginia, including the Mount Rogers Health District, will also begin their Phase 1B rollout plan next week.

Health officials say if you’re in Phase 1C or the general public, you shouldn’t pre-register. Phase 1C will include other essential workers and people aged 65 to 74. This also includes people with a high risk medical condition or disability.

You can check the VDH website for more information on which phase of vaccination you are included in and when you can get vaccinated.

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