From the Rappahannock Area Health District:
The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) is working hard to get the COVID-19 vaccine to our residents as quickly as we can. While we have adequate supply to fulfill the appointments we have already scheduled this week, we are assessing our capacity for next week. Our health district, along with the rest of the state, is seeing much higher demand for the vaccine than the doses the Commonwealth is receiving from the federal government.
We share the community’s disappointment that vaccine supplies are limited. After 10 months of the pandemic, our staff are energized to provide the vaccine, just as we know the community is anxious to roll up their sleeves and receive it. We ask for patience as we gather more information about how much vaccine we can anticipate in the weeks to come.
The best way to let us know your interest in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is to visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/ and complete the appropriate survey. Please note that when you complete this survey, you are added to our list of individuals and employers interested in receiving the vaccine under the appropriate phase. You will not receive an appointment time immediately after completing this survey, but the health district will have your contact information to follow up when vaccine becomes available and it is your turn. RAHD began vaccinating Phase 1b this week and we have received thousands of responses to these surveys, so it will take us some time to schedule appointments for everyone who is requesting the vaccine in this phase.
In the meantime, RAHD continues to see high rates of local transmission of the virus. Over the past seven days the area has seen its highest average number of new cases reported per day since the beginning of the pandemic. Community members are urged to continue to take steps to slow the spread of the virus and protect their families by wearing a mask around anyone outside your household, practicing social distancing, washing hands often and thoroughly, and staying home if experiencing any symptoms.
Updated COVID-19 vaccination plans will be shared on RAHD’s website https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/
You can learn more about the vaccine, its safety and answers to frequently asked questions on VDH’s website https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/#general19 and CDC’s website https://www.cdc.gov/coronav…/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
