Can I get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

The first step to get the Covid-19 vaccine is to preregister so that you can be informed when it is your turn: https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/preregister.html. Local health departments are scheduling large vaccination events and will notify you when you qualify according to the information you submit to them.

As of March 1st, 2020 Virginia is in vaccination phases 1A and 1B. This limits eligibility to get the Covid vaccine to specific categories of people: healthcare workers, long-term care residents, adults age 65+, people age 16-64 with underlying medical conditions, those living in correctional facilities, migrant labor camps, homeless shelters, and frontline essential workers.

To accommodate the limited supply of vaccines, frontline essential workers are prioritized to get the Covid-19 vaccine in a specific order. To check the priority order you may visit the Virginia Department of Health website (COVID-19 Vaccine – Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine). Most frontline essential workers will participate in employee-sponsored vaccination clinics, but pharmacies, local health departments, and health care providers are also working to vaccinate essential workers. You should contact your employer if you are a frontline worker to confirm your vaccine schedule and availability.

If you believe that you have an underlying medical condition that may qualify you to get the COVID-19 vaccine, check the CDCs list of high-risk medical conditions (Certain Medical Conditions and Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness | CDC).

Those who are 65+ or high risk due to health conditions will get the Covid-19 vaccine through healthcare providers and local health departments. A local link to check is https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/patients-visitors/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/covid-19-vaccinations/. CVS is also offering vaccinations for seniors 65+, also by appointment only. Appointments fill quickly but they are updating their availability regularly. Check this website often as appointments go quickly (COVID Vaccine (COVID-19 Immunization Updates) | CVS Pharmacy).

Shenandoah Community Health Clinic does not currently have vaccines, but once we have them, eligible patients and community members will be offered a vaccination. It’s important to frequently check with your local healthcare systems and health department to secure a vaccination slot at the earliest opportunity. The faster Americans are vaccinated, the faster we can all return to a more normal lifestyle. The process may take time, but eventually, everyone who wants it will be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine.