(WDBJ) – More people in our cities will soon be allowed to get a vaccine against COVID-19. Starting Monday, a handful of health districts will begin phase 1B vaccines. This group includes essential workers, such as teachers, grocery workers and others, and people aged 75 and over.
Health districts such as the New River and Roanoke & Alleghany health districts will move to Phase 1B in a few days. If you want to get vaccinated, you must pre-register and make an appointment.
“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 given to many of the NRV and Roanoke and Alleghany health districts.
“There are literally hundreds of thousands of people in the Phase 1B category in Virginia. It will take us to go through phase 1B, it will take us weeks, if not a month, and so we really need people to understand that we need patience, we need flexibility, ”Morrow said.
For essential workers included in phase 1B of the vaccine deployment plan, the next question is how to get the vaccine. Health officials say you can get the vaccine through your workplace or residential clinic. But for that to happen, you need to pre-register and make an appointment at your clinics.
If you identify as Phase 1B and work for a smaller or independent company, are 75 years of age or older, or are not affiliated with any workplace or residential clinic, you can pre-register through the health district websites.
“It’s critical that people register in advance, again, all clinics are closed clinics, meaning they’re not available for consultations,” Morrow said.
Once pre-registered, the Virginia Department of Health will contact you to make an appointment at a local health department, pharmacy, or health care provider.
Within Phase 1B, there are priorities and police and first aid authorities are at the top of the list. Health officials say pre-registration does not guarantee you get an appointment: “Because it is our responsibility to try to make sure we distribute the vaccine according to prioritization strategies,” Morrow said.
Another 11 Virginia health districts, including Mount Rogers Health District, will also begin their Phase 1B deployment plan next week.
Health officials say that if you are in phase 1C or the general public, you should not pre-register. Phase 1C will include other essential workers and people aged 65 to 74. It also includes those with a high-risk illness or disability.
You can check the VDH website for more information about the vaccine phase you are in and when you can get it.
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