Newsroom: Arlington Ramping Up Vaccine Distribution, Applauds Governor’s Announcement

Press release from the Arlington County Government:

January 15, 2021

Arlington County applauds the decision by Gov. Ralph Northam to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to more Virginians, and County health and government officials are moving quickly to ramp up access for eligible Arlingtonians.

On Thursday, Jan. 14, Northam announced that all Virginians age 65 and older and those age 16-64 with underlying medical conditions will be moved to Phase 1b under the commonwealth’s vaccination plan.

“We are thankful that the state is making the COVID-19 vaccine more accessible to Virginians who need it and want it,” said Dr. Aaron Miller, Director of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management. “Right now, every available dose that we have has a corresponding arm for it to go into. And we continue to support the Commonwealth’s efforts to release more vaccine.”

“County government’s top priority is to ensure the quick, efficient, and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines,” Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said. “We know that many residents are frustrated, and we understand and share your concerns. Since Monday, there have been rapid changes in eligibility within the priority groups, including the addition of those 65-74 years old and those 16-64 with underlying medical conditions to Phase 1b. We also are receiving far fewer vaccines than the demand from Arlingtonians. We ask you to be as patient as possible as we work with urgency on this critical challenge.”

This weekend, the Arlington County Public Health Division will hold two clinics to vaccinate 1,800 individuals from the Childcare/PreK-12 Teachers/Staff priority group identified in Phase 1b, including Arlington Public Schools (APS). People in this group who are unable to schedule an appointment for this weekend will have opportunities to make appointments as more vaccine becomes available.

Virginia Hospital Center (VHC), which has already partnered with the County to operate a vaccination clinic for residents over the age of 75, is working to increase scheduling opportunities when more vaccine supply becomes available.

As Arlington County Public Health begins to receive guidance from the Virginia Department of Health on the additional people eligible under Phase 1b, it continues to work to vaccinate the many people who have pre-registered over the past several days.

The expansion of people eligible under Phase 1b does not increase Arlington’s limited supply of vaccine doses. The ability to schedule appointments will depend on increased distribution of vaccine from Virginia. The nationwide distribution of any COVID-19 vaccine is managed by the CDC and the U.S. Department of Defense. Arlington County is prepared to ramp up and expedite appointments as soon as the County receives additional doses from Virginia.

In the meantime, people 65-74 years old and people 16-64 years old with a high-risk medical condition or disability that increases their risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can pre-register and will be notified when appointments become available as vaccine distribution increases

Arlington employers of frontline essential workers (as identified in Phase 1b) who want a COVID-19 vaccine should still pre-register with the Arlington County Public Health Division.

“As the situation continues to change rapidly, our County Manager and Public Health Director are working flat-out to secure vaccines and to get them into arms,” de Ferranti said. “The Board has assured them that we will provide whatever resources are needed to get this done.”

Get additional information about COVID-19 and the vaccine

This press release was produced by the Arlington County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.