Vaccine Update: Guide To Getting COVID-19 Vaccine In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As we approach the end of March, the Alexandria Health Department continues to work through the waitlist of residents seeking the COVID-19 vaccine.

This week, the Alexandria Health Department is receiving 7,700 first and second doses, which is an increase of 2,670 doses from the previous week. Doses go toward the health department's vaccination events and private providers. Separate allocations go to pharmacies participating in the federal pharmacy partnership as well as Neighborhood Health, a federally qualified health center. Some partners are helping the health department address its wait list, while others like CVS, Walgreens, Harris Teeter and Safeway have their own appointment scheduling.

Alexandria and other Northern Virginia localities are advocating for increased doses from the state. On March 19, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission sent a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam requesting significant increases of vaccine doses and flexibility with distribution. Leaders believe increased allocations are needed to vaccinate people on waitlists and allow the region to meet the state's expectation that localities begin 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.

Last week, the Alexandria Health Department stated it could move to phase 1c in the next three to four weeks if it has an adequate supply of doses.

Individuals currently eligible 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.

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).

As of Tuesday, 30,622 Alexandrians have at least one vaccine dose (22.9 percent of 16 and up population) and 19,087 are fully vaccinated (14.3 percent). 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.

Alexandria residents should continue to preregister 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.