Quarter Of Alexandrians 16 And Up Have First COVID Vaccine Dose

ALEXANDRIA, VA — In the final days of March, the Alexandria Health Department continues to work through the waitlist of residents seeking the COVID-19 vaccine in phases 1a and 1b. As of Monday, over a quarter of Alexandrians 16 and up are vaccinated.

According to the city's vaccine data dashboard, 33,756 people are partially vaccinated, or 25.3 percent of Alexandria residents 16 and up. There are 20,125 people fully vaccinated, or 15.1 percent of Alexandrians 16 and up.

The health department's target is to get 80 percent of Alexandrians 16 and up vaccinated (106,618 people). Alexandria has 133,272 residents 16 and up.

The city is receiving a notable increase in vaccine allocations compared to previous months. Last week, Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted that Alexandria was receiving less than 2,000 weekly doses over a month ago. This week, Alexandria is expected to receive 11,040 doses, up 3,340 from the previous week. This doesn't include the separate allocations to pharmacies participating in the federal pharmacy partnership, such as CVS, Walgreens, Harris Teeter and Safeway.

The increase comes after the Northern Virginia Regional Commission sent a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam requesting significant increases of vaccine doses and flexibility with distribution. Virginia's state vaccine coordinator, Dr. Danny Avula, indicated more allocations would shift to areas with higher interest in vaccinations such as Northern Virginia.

Individuals currently eligible for the vaccine are health care workers; primary caregivers; long-term care facility residents and staff; people 65 and older; people 16 to 64 with a qualifying underlying condition; police, fire and hazmat workers; corrections and homeless shelter workers and residents; childcare and K-12 teachers and staff; restaurant or food service workers; agriculture workers; manufacturing workers; grocery store workers; public transit workers; mail carriers (USPS and private); officials needed to maintain continuity of government; cleaning and janitorial staff; and faith leaders.

The Virginia Department of Health has directed localities to start phase 1c (certain essential workers) by mid-April. All of Virginia is expected to move into phase 2 (all Virginians 16 and up) at the start of May.

Phase 1c, the last phase before the general public, includes certain essential worker groups (energy; water, wastewater, and waste removal workers; housing and construction; food service; transportation and logistics; institutions of higher education faculty and staff; finance; information technology and communication; media; legal services; public safety (engineers); and other public health workers).

Alexandria residents can preregister for the vaccine at vaccinate.virginia.gov. Those with internet or language barriers can call the vaccine hotline at 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). Anyone can register regardless of current eligibility.