Fairfax County Opening Vaccinations To More Age Groups

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The Fairfax Health District is set to expand phase 1b of COVID-19 vaccinations to additional groups, but residents should be aware there may be a wait time. The health department covers Fairfax County and cities of Falls Church and Fairfax.

This week, states were advised by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to immediately expand vaccinations to anyone 65 and up as well as people aged 16 to 64 who have a comorbid condition. After Gov. Ralph Northam indicated Virginia would expand phase 1b, the Fairfax County Health Department said it will begin registering people in these new groups on Jan. 18.

The move comes as the health district began phase 1b during the week of Jan. 11. Before the eligibility was expanded, phase 1b included people 75 and older, certain essential worker groups, and people living in homeless shelters, correctional facilities and migrant labor camps. Due to limited supply of doses, the health department is starting with appointments for people 75 and older and is running vaccination clinics for police, fire and hazmat; corrections and homeless shelter workers; and people living in correctional facilities and homeless shelters. School staff and teacher vaccinations will begin on Jan. 16. Availability for other essential workers in phase 1b will be announced at a later time.

When counting the groups eligible in phases 1a and 1b, the health department estimated they account for 40 percent of health district residents over 16.

In a statement on the county blog, the health department asked for patience as it works through the requests for appointments:

Vaccine demand is far greater than the schedule and vaccine availability at this time. Therefore, it may take months to get through these priority groups. This is why – even if you register for an appointment – it might take some time before you can actually secure a slot and get vaccinated. There are plans to increase options for vaccine in pharmacies and health care provider options, which over time will give people more choices.

People who need help with registration, who need to register in another language, or who do not have proper internet access or technology for online appointment scheduling can contact the health department's vaccine hotline, 703-324-7404, is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information about the steps for scheduling and receiving the vaccine is outlined in a health department blog post. The central information page for the vaccine is /www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine.