Rotary Club, Town Partner For Vaccinate Vienna Campaign

VIENNA, VA — The Rotary Club of Vienna and Town of Vienna are partnering on a campaign to encourage residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Beginning in March, a banner promoting Vaccinate Vienna is hanging over Maple Avenue. The Rotary Club has also created video testimonials in multiple languages describing the vaccination experiences of Vienna residents. The testimonials are available on the Rotary Club of Vienna Facebook page.

One of the testimonials was from Rotarian George Creed, who had both vaccine doses.

"I have had both of my COVID vaccine shots, the first in mid-January, the second in early February. In neither case did I have any significant or major reaction," said Creed.

Gerry Hamilton, another Rotarian, said a friend had a strong reaction to the vaccine but is ok now.

"Please remember, of the 75,000 vaccine trial participants, zero were hospitalized from COVID, zero died from COVID, zero died from the vaccine," said Hamilton in the testimonial.

The Rotary Club of Vienna, which was founded in 1965 and hosts the annual ViVa! Vienna! festival, is no stranger to promoting vaccines. It also promoted polio vaccines, which helped lead to a significant decline in polio cases worldwide. The Rotary Club also cited vaccination efforts leading to the eradication of smallpox.

"By partnering with the town, we hope that this history will alleviate some people’s reluctance to get vaccinated,” said Rotary President Yasmine Bonilla.

Vienna residents eligible in phases 1a and 1b can register for the vaccine through the Fairfax County Health Department. Those who will be eligible in phases 1c (certain essential worker groups) and phase 2 (everyone 16 and older) can check back at that link for updates on when they can register.

Eligible residents can also check for appointments at pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Harris Teeter and Safeway.

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.