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Vaccinations
Demand for vaccines for COVID-19 is extraordinarily high while supplies are limited. As more COVID-19 vaccines become available, the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is ramping up vaccination efforts in our region and expanding what groups are eligible. Click on the link to submit your information and get in line for a vaccine.
Updated, Statewide Pre-Registration Portal
On February 16 the Virginia Department of Health launched a centralized, statewide portal for COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration. If you have already pre-registered through one of the local portals your information is being transferred to this statewide database. Those who have not yet pre-registered under Phase 1-B should use this new portal to get their name on the list.
A few important notes:
- Those who have signed up through the local portals do not need to register again. Your information is being transferred to the statewide database.
- Those who are in the database should be able to check the status of their registration and confirm that they are in fact on the list. If you search with the contact information you originally provided and find that you are not in the database, don't worry yet. Data is still being imported from all the local health districts. DO NOT sign up again at this time.
- Demand is still extremely high and supplies are limited. Roughly 50% of the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is in Phase 1-B of vaccine distribution, and everyone who gets a vaccine must get two doses. Please remain patient and do not contact the Health Department once you know your name is on the list.
- How do I register for a COVID-19 vaccine?
- Who is eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 1-B?
- Once I pre-register, how long should I expect to wait before getting vaccinated?
- I've pre-registered online - now what?
- Should I pre-register in multiple places?
- I pre-registered for a vaccine in the local portal. Should I submit the new statewide one also?
- What is considered an underlying health condition?
- I have questions about the effectiveness or safety of the vaccine - what should I do?
- Someone I know doesn't have internet access. Can I sign them up?
Important Notes about Online Pre-Registration
Here is some important information that you should know about online pre-registration:
- Only those who are eligible under Phases 1-A and 1-B of the COVID-19 Vaccination efforts can submit their information through this online portal, which was developed by the City of Danville and the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District. If you are unsure of your eligibility under Phases 1-A or 1-B, please utilize this resource from the Virginia Department of Health.
- Those who work in law enforcement, fire and hazmat, corrections, education, or at homeless shelters SHOULD NOT fill out the online form. The Health Department is working directly with these different agencies to ensure that vaccines are provided for employees, so there is no need for individuals to contact the Health Department.
- Submitting your information DOES NOT guarantee you a vaccine or schedule an appointment for you. This simply gives the Pittsylvania-Danville Health Department your information so that they can contact you when a vaccine does become available for you. You will either be contacted by phone or email, depending on what contact information you provide.
- Due to extremely high demand and limited supply, please expect SIGNIFICANT WAIT TIMES. It could take weeks for the Health Departments and months before a vaccine becomes available for you.
- Once you submit your information, DO NOT attempt to contact the Health Department by phone or email to check the status of your vaccine. Please be patient as the Health Department is dealing with unprecedented call volume.
- If you have friends or family who are eligible to accept the vaccine under Phase 1-A and 1-B but do not have internet access or computer literacy, please submit the online form for them. The Health Department phone lines are overwhelmed with callers at this time. However, it is important that each person only fill out the form once.
Phase 1-B Qualifications
Our region, along with the majority of the State of Virginia, is currently under Phase 1-B of COVID-19 vaccine distribution. This means that only the following groups, as well as those that were previously eligible under Phase 1-A, are eligible to receive the vaccine at this time:
- Anyone over the age of 65
- Individuals ages 16-64 with high risk medical conditions
- Police, fire and hazmat response personnel
- Those living and working in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and migrant labor camps
- Food and agriculture workers and manufacturers
- Grocery store workers
- Teachers and education staff
- Public transit workers
- Mail carriers
When Will Other Groups Be Eligible for the Vaccine?
The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is following guidance from the Virginia Department of health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. Due to the fact that certain groups are more at-risk of experiencing the most severe effects of COVID-19, the national vaccine distribution process has priortized these at-risk groups. Production and distribution efforts are being ramped up, but there is not scheduled timetable for when our region will move into Phase 1-C, which includes other essential workers. The Health Department is asking people to remain patient and continue to follow all the safety protocols:
- Wash your hands often and well
- Maintain social distancing of at least six feet with those outside of your household
- Wear a mask when in public or when with others outside of your household
The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District and the Virginia Department of Health are also working with other organizations that will be the primary distributors of the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you have any other questions about the vaccine distribution process, please consult the Virginia Department of Health website.
PittCoVaccinated
To maintain continuity of government and to ensure that Pittsylvania County services can continue uninterrupted, some Pittsylvania County employees have been able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and all volunteer fire and EMS personnel have been offered the chance to take it. Below are a few employees and volunteers explaining why they chose to accept the COVID-19 vaccine when it was offered to them. #PittCoVaccinated
Kenneth Glass, Corporal with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office
Mike Neal, Chief at Ringgold Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Vic Ingram, Supervisor for the Tunstall District
Vic Ingram, Supervisor for the Tunstall District, chose to accept the vaccine because he is 64, has pre-existing health conditions, had many friends contract the virus, and had a family member who nearly died from it during a month-long stay in the hospital.
"Personally I think it's an obligation I have as a leader," he said. "I feel like it's my responsibility to lead by example, which includes taking the vaccine and following all the safety practices."
#PittCoVaccinated
Ala
n Casper, Deputy Chief of EMS at Gretna Fire and Rescue
Alan Casper, the Deputy Chief of EMS at Gretna Fire and Rescue, has been exposed to COVID-19, forcing him to quarantine - and forefit the ability to run calls - multiple times during the pandemic. He decided to take the vaccine to protect his family and to make sure that he can continue to serve the public.
"It just makes sense to take the vaccine."
Bob Warren, Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
Bob received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine last week.