Vaccine Phase 1c To Begin For Rappahannock Area Health District

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Rappahannock Area Health District will start vaccinating people in Phase 1c on Thursday, March 25. Phase 1c includes several groups of essential workers, including barbers, legal services workers, waste removal employees, and food service workers.

The health district said that even though people in Phase 1c will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine, they will continue to prioritize people in Phase 1a and 1b.

Dr. Denise Bonds is the acting director of the Rappahannock Area Health District. "“We are excited about the progress we have made in vaccinations in our community so far," Dr. Bonds said in a news release. "And we look forward to expanding vaccination opportunities to more of the essential workers who have been waiting their turn."

The Rappahannock Area Health District is the most recent jurisdiction to expand vaccine eligibility to people in Phase 1c. The full list of groups who are now eligible in Phase 1c is available on the Virginia Department of Health's website.

Though vaccine eligibility is expanding, the health district's news release emphasized that vaccine supply is still limited. "We ask for continued patience as we work through the priority groups and get to each person who desires vaccination as soon as possible," the news release said. "We are devoting every available resource to this effort."

Dr. Bonds encouraged all residents in the health district to pre-register for the vaccine, including people in Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, and the City of Fredericksburg. "At this point in time, we encourage everyone interested in receiving a vaccine to go ahead and pre-register, even if it is not your turn yet," Dr. Bonds said. "This way, when it is your turn, you can get your vaccine as quickly as possible."

To register for the vaccine, residents should sign up for the state's preregistration list. Anyone can preregister for the vaccine, regardless of their current eligibility. The Rappahannock Area Health District 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.