70s Age Group Leads Vaccinations In Arlington County: New Data

ARLINGTON, VA — People in their 70s lead age groups in Arlington County for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at the start of March, according to new data.

The Virginia Department of Health recently added vaccine demographics data, showing vaccine doses given by age group and racial or ethnic group. But while age data is available for all vaccine doses, race and ethnicity data is missing for 467,850 people with at least one dose statewide.

Among age groups in Arlington County, people in their 70s account for 6,498 people with at least one dose. The 60s age group follows with 4,589 people with at least one dose. The 70s age group also has the most fully vaccinated individuals — 2,444.

On a population basis, the 80 and up age group has the most vaccines per 100,000 people in Arlington. The rate for this age group is 60,504 per 100,000 people for first doses and 32,363 per 100,000 for fully vaccinated people. The 70s age group is second with a rate of 56,982 per 100,000 people for first doses and 21,431 per 100,000 for fully vaccinated people.

People 75 and older were initially eligible in phase 1b starting Jan. 11 before eligibility expanded on Jan. 18 to cover anyone 65 and up and 16 to 64 with an underlying health condition or disability.

Here is the age group breakdown so far for first doses and second doses in Arlington County:

• 0-9: 0 doses
• 10-19: 127 first doses, 56 fully vaccinated
• 20-29: 2,787 first doses, 1,536 fully vaccinated
• 30-39: 3,371 first doses, 2,239 fully vaccinated
• 40-49: 3,130 first doses, 2,118 fully vaccinated
• 50-59: 2,589 first doses, 1,634 fully vaccinated
• 60-69: 4,589 first doses, 1,278 fully vaccinated
• 70-79: 6,488 first doses, 2,444 fully vaccinated
• 80 and up: 3,554 first doses, 1,901 fully vaccinated

The rate per 100,000 is the highest for the Native American population in Arlington County: 8,952 first doses per 100,000 people and 4,190 fully vaccinated per 100,000 people. The rate is the lowest for Asian or Pacific Islander residents in Arlington for the first dose: 3,381 first doses per 100,000. The rate is the lowest for Black residents for the second dose: 1,590 fully vaccinated per 100,000 people.

Here is the racial and ethnic group breakdown of vaccinations in Arlington:

• Asian or Pacific Islander: 944 first doses, 462 fully vaccinated
• Black: 902 first doses, 359 fully vaccinated
• Latino: 2,575 first doses, 1,247 fully vaccinated
• Native American: 47 first doses, 22 fully vaccinated
• White: 8,654 first doses, 4,360 fully vaccinated
• Other race: 2,688 first doses, 1,240 fully vaccinated
• Not reported: 10,326 first doses, 5,576 fully vaccinated

Following guidance from Virginia Department of Health, Arlington County last Friday began scheduling residents 16-64 with underlying medical conditions who pre-registered for vaccination appointments, in the approximate order of pre-registration. Currently, there are approximately 20,000 Arlington residents pre-registered in this category.

Conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can be found on this CDC list. Proof of a high-risk medical condition or disability that increases risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is not needed.

As of Feb. 26, 87 percent of residents 65 and older who have pre-registered in Arlington have received a notification to schedule a vaccination appointment. These notifications will continue to others over the coming weeks, and every resident who pre-registered as a 65 and over individual with Arlington by Feb. 12 will receive an invitation to schedule an appointment by March 12, according to Arlington County.

On Saturday, the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed for use in people 18 years and older.

Virginia is expected to receive 69,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week, which will be prioritized for mass vaccination clinics across the state. Arlington County is awaiting finalized distribution plans from the state.

"Ultimately, the best vaccine for you will be the one that is available first," Arlington County said Monday. "All three vaccines (along with Moderna and Pfizer) have been proven to be highly effective at preventing severe disease, including hospitalization and death."