Everyone in Virginia could get COVID vaccine by this summer

Every Virginia resident who wants a COVID-19 vaccine should be able to get one by this summer, Gov. Ralph Northam said in a briefing on vaccines Jan. 6.

COVID is surging in Virginia – the number of cases reported daily is way above what it was last spring – and this trend could continue to rise until mid-February. New strains of the virus that are much more contagious haven’t been seen in Virginia yet, but are likely to show up and could very well already be here. 

The vaccine is “our path forward to recovery,” Northam said. 

Over 115,000 people in Virginia have already been vaccinated, and 2,000 have received their second dose. 

Virginia is getting about 110,000 doses of vaccine a week and is on track to administer 14,000 doses a day, Northam said. 

But there are 8.5 million people in Virginia, and each one needs two doses, so it’s going to take months before the state gets enough vaccines for everybody. 

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The next goal for Virginia is 25,000 shots a day, but that depends on how fast companies can ramp up manufacturing and distribute vaccines to states. To get everybody vaccinated by summer, the state will need to give 50,000 vaccinations a day. 

To cut down on waste, Northam urged pharmacies and healthcare providers to “use it or lose it.” If they don’t use their supplies of vaccines, they will get fewer doses in their next shipment. 

That doesn’t mean giving vaccines to everybody. Healthcare providers are expected to follow the protocols and vaccinate people in gGroup 1a first. But they can have some flexibility if necessary, so they don’t end up with unused vaccines. 

Group 1a includes doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other healthcare professionals, along with people who live and work in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living. 

The next group, 1b, includes frontline essential workers in specific industries, adults age 75 and older, educators, bus drivers, transit workers, people who work in food processing plants, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and people living in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and migrant labor camps.  

“Teachers, preschool workers, and anyone who works in a school are high on the list of essential workers,” Northam said. “Teachers are critical to getting school reopened.” 

He also said the state is considering adding more school days this summer to make up for the lost time. 

There are about 2 million people in group 1b, Northam said. “It will take well into spring to get all these people two shots.” 

Group 1c includes other essential workers, adults age 65 and older, and people age 16-64 with certain medical conditions or disabilities that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19. 

Related story: Fairfax County Health Department to begin COVID vaccine rollout

The Virginia Department of Health will develop online tools to let people know where and when they can get vaccinated – at pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics, public health offices, or community events. 

Northam appointed Dr. Danny T.K. Avula, director of the Richmond City and Henrico County health departments, to lead the vaccination efforts in Virginia. The National Guard will help with the vaccine rollout. 

More than 2,000 healthcare providers in Virginia are registered with the CDC to administer the COVID vaccine, said Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver. The state also has agreements with 120 pharmacies. 

“People worry is the vaccine safe and should I take it?” Northam said. “I am confident in these vaccines. I will take it when it’s my turn.” 

Northam invites the public to listen in to an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci Friday at 3 p.m. live on the governor’s Facebook page.