Chair Randall Receives Vaccine, Encourages Others To Do The Same

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Phyllis Randall, the Chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, received her coronavirus vaccine at a news conference on Tuesday. At the event, Randall shared updates on the county's vaccination efforts, and encouraged residents to get the vaccine if they are eligible.

"We're making really great progress on vaccinations in Loudoun County," Randall said. "On Friday, April 2, we vaccinated more than 4,000 people."

During the news conference, Chair Randall stressed the importance of the county's equity efforts in vaccine distribution. "In Loudoun County, we've done a very good job with that, and we've done it with the help of partners," she said.

In Loudoun County, white residents are still more likely to have received a vaccine than Black or Asian residents, according to the state's vaccine demographics. 10.7 % of Asian residents and 12.6% of Black residents have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, compared to 17.3% of white and Latino residents.

"The equity issue is being addressed, and it's being addressed by our community partners," Randall said. She noted that the NAACP and the ADAMS Mosque have hosted mass vaccination events.

The news conference was held one day after Loudoun County began vaccinating people in Phase 1c, which includes workers in construction, waste removal, and food service. Curtis Allred, the owner and operator of Delirium Cafe in Loudoun County, was also vaccinated at Tuesday's event.

See also: Loudoun County Vaccine Update: Workers In Phase 1c Now Eligible

"It's a message," Randall said about getting Allred vaccinated at the event. "One of our hardest hit areas in COVID has been hospitality. The fact that we can now vaccinate food service workers who have so much contact with the public is very important."

Randall, Allred, and other community members received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. It was administered by EMT's from Loudoun County.

After she received her shot, Randall encouraged residents to do the research about the vaccines if they are feeling hesitant. "Go do the research, read about the vaccinations, the fact that they were not rushed," she said. "After that, I'm fairly confident you'll be willing to get the vaccine."

She also noted that people should still follow the guidelines set by the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health. "We're not out of the woods quite yet."

To register for the vaccine, residents should sign up for the state's pre-registration list. Anyone can pre-register for the vaccine, regardless of their current eligibility. The Loudoun County Health Department pulls from the state's list to schedule vaccine appointments.

People without internet access can call the state's vaccine hotline at 877-829-4682.