COVID-19 Vaccination Process To Change In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — As Fairfax County prepares to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to everyone 16 and older on Sunday, health officials are changing how residents of the Fairfax Health District schedule appointments.

Early Sunday morning, the Fairfax County Health Department will stop accepting registrations for the COVID-19, and people will be able to schedule an appointment directly by visiting VaccineFinder.org.

“We are excited to take the next step to Phase 2," said says Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay, in a release. "While our scheduling in Phase 1 went well, I am confident that the new scheduling process in Phase 2 will help since everyone will become eligible."

McKay cautioned people to manage their expectations over the first two weeks of Phase 2 due to the high demand for appointments and the availability of the vaccine supply.

"With patience and care, we will get everyone vaccinated," he said.

The Fairfax Health District not only includes county residents but also people living in the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, as well as those in the towns of Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna.

Using VaccineFinder.org, health district residents will be able to choose from a variety of appointment times and clinics offering the vaccine, including the Fairfax County Health Department, hospitals, pharmacies, and some health-care providers.

Initially, appointments at some clinics managed by the Health Department and its partners may not be available, as the county works through the remaining people who pre-registered through the county's registration system.

As of Thursday morning, 431,212 people have registered through the FCHD's pre-registration system and 24,604 people were on the waiting list. The county is currently booking appointments with people who registered on April 8.

Fairfax County will contact those who are still on the waiting list as of 11:59 p.m., on Saturday, within approximately one week, offering them a chance to schedule an appointment. Everyone else who wants an appointment is encouraged to book one using VaccineFinder.org.

Fairfax County will close its pre-registration system on Sunday and join the rest of Virginia in Phase 2. The state's vaccination system, Vaccinate.Virginia.gov, will remain open after April 18 to help schedule appointments for individuals with Phase 1 eligibility. After April 18, people in the Phase 1 priority group can schedule an appointment either through VaccineFinder.org or VaccinateVirginia.gov.

Those looking for more information may contact the state’s call center at 877-829-4682 or the Fairfax County call center at 703-324-7404.