Danville, Eastern Shore first Va. localities to move into third vaccination phase

Danville and Eastern Shore health districts will be moving into phase 1c of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout this week, vaccinating a variety of workers from sectors including energy, higher education, finance, legal and housing and construction.

Other regions are likely to follow soon, the Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday.

Others in group 1c include workers in water, waste removal, food service, transportation and logistics, information technology and communication, media and public safety as well as public health workers not included in earlier vaccination phases.

Danville and Petersburg have both opened mass vaccination clinics this week offering approximately 3,000 appointments per day, and Portsmouth is opening its mass clinic Wednesday, with Prince William County following suit next week. Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the clinics are run by appointment only for people who have pre-registered for vaccines. To pre-register, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call the COVID Vaccine Hotline at 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682).

“Those who have pre-registered should check the list at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling the call center to ensure their information is accurate,” VDH advised. “Incomplete or inaccurate information could result in you not being contacted for an appointment.”

With more vaccination sites and doses arriving in the state, VDH officials say they expect all communities to move into phase 1c by mid-April and for everyone age 16 or older to be eligible beginning May 1. All regions entering phase 1c must have “made strong efforts” to reach everyone eligible in the phase 1a and 1b populations, especially minority communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the virus, VDH said in its statement.

“Finally, the light at the end of this long journey seems to be coming into view,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver said in a statement. “Vaccine is our best hope of ending the pandemic. My heartfelt thanks to the many Virginians who are signing up and getting vaccinated and for the health care workers and volunteers who are administering vaccines.”

Subscribe to Virginia Business.

Get our daily e-newsletter.