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April 2, 2021

Regional health district accelerates vaccine plan

File Photo/Fauquier Health

Friday’s announcement moves up the local schedule almost two weeks from the statewide plan for vaccine eligibility.

We are excited to be expanding vaccination opportunities to the majority of our population. Please, understand that we will still book the elderly and most at-risk first. Everyone who lives or works in Virginia is encouraged to enroll on the state pre-registration list, to facilitate setting up a vaccine appointment.

— Dr. Colin Greene, acting director of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District

The Virginia Department of Health’s Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District will begin to vaccinate persons in Phase 2 Monday, April 5, while continuing to vaccinate anyone in Phases 1a, 1b and 1c who registers to receive it.

While vaccine supply continues to increase, it remains limited, the department said in a press release Friday morning.

“Please, be patient as we continue to reach out to the most at-risk and underserved, while offering vaccine to each person who desires it as soon as possible,” he department said. “We are devoting every available resource to this effort.”

Under Phase 2, anyone 16 and older (for Pfizer vaccine) and 18 and older (for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Click here for details.

“We are excited to be expanding vaccination opportunities to the majority of our population,” said Dr. Colin Greene, acting director of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District. “Please, understand that we will still book the elderly and most at-risk first. Everyone who lives or works in Virginia is encouraged to enroll on the state pre-registration list, to facilitate setting up a vaccine appointment.”

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that all Virginians 16 and older will qualify for vaccination by April 18. But, the local health district will move more quickly.

Vaccines are available by pre-registration and appointment.

To pre-register or to update your pre-registration record, visit www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682). English- and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Translation services also are available, in more than 100 languages. For TTY, dial 7-1-1.

When you receive your appointment for a vaccine, the department asks you to follow these guidelines at the vaccination site:

• Arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to your appointment time. Too many people arriving too early causes backups.

• No walk-ins at this time. Pre-register to be contacted for an appointment.

• Be prepared to show your invitation (email or text) or proof of your name.

“Remember to continue masking and social distancing outside your household,” the department said. “We will reach a point later this year when enough people are vaccinated where these actions are no longer necessary, but we’re not there yet, so please continue to watch your 3Ws: Wear your mask, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands.”

For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.