Coronavirus Vaccinations Begin For Teachers In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Teachers and staff at Alexandria City Public Schools began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations Tuesday at T.C. Williams High School.

According to a statement from the city and health department, many individuals being vaccinated in Alexandria this week are ACPS teachers and staff. Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr. was among the people receiving the first dose. Gov. Ralph Northam, Mayor Justin Wilson and members of City Council were on hand for the first vaccinations at ACPS.

"This is a huge step forward and it allows us to alleviate one major hurdle in the transition to reopening our school buildings," Hutchings wrote in a newsletter to ACPS families. "Within six weeks, we hope all employees will be vaccinated. I want to say thank you to the Alexandria Health Department for being true collaborative partners and ensuring ACPS staff were at the front of the line as soon as the vaccine became available."

Employees in K-12 settings are eligible to receive the vaccine under phase 1b of vaccinations in Virginia. Alexandria moved to phase 1b during the week of Jan. 11 and will continue phase 1a vaccinations. Phase 1b includes people 75 and older; people living in homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and migrant labor camps, and front-line essential workers. Due to the limited supply of vaccine doses available, essential workers are prioritized in the following order: police fire and hazmat; corrections and homeless shelter workers; child care, K-12 teachers and staff; food and agriculture (including veterinarians); manufacturing; grocery store workers; public transit workers; mail carriers and officials needed to maintain continuity of government.

"Our message is simple: Get the vaccine as soon as you are eligible," said Dr. Stephen Haering, director of the Alexandria Health Department. "If you are not eligible yet, you will be soon. Be prepared to take this important step for your health and those you love."

A start date has not been determined for Phase 1c, but it will include other essential workers, persons age 65 or older, and persons age 16 through 64 with medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe illness if they contract the virus.

Individuals eligible for phase 1a, 1b or 1c based on their employment should be registered by their employer. Individuals who are eligible based on their age or medical condition can register through the local health department. Alexandria is taking pre-registrations for phase 1b online. Those eligible for phase 1c can will out the pre-registration form but will not be able to make an appointment until Alexandria enters the phase. The health department is working with senior serving organizations to reach seniors who do not have access to the internet or email.

Anyone experiencing difficulty with the form can call the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703-746-4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those who are eligible for vaccination as part of Phase 1c can also fill out the form, but they will not be able to make a vaccination appointment until Alexandria enters that phase.

As of Wednesday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 2,269 vaccine doses have been administered in Alexandria. There are 196 fully vaccinated people in Alexandria. This data reflects people who live in Alexandria. The health department says 1,518 doses were given to health care workers and long-term care facility staff and residents from Dec. 24 to Jan. 8 under phase 1a.

Residents can learn more about the vaccine on the Alexandria Health Department's website.