Show All Answers

1. How do I register for a COVID-19 vaccine?

Those who are interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine can pre-register online through the state's portal or leave a voice message with your name and number at 434-432-3582 to sign up for the Gretna Community Vaccination Center. These are separate registration processes and are independent of each other. You can register through both portals and simply accept the first appointment offered to you. 

2. Who is eligible to receive the vaccine under Phase 2?

As of April 5, everybody over the age of 18 in Danville and Pittsylvania County is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Virginia had previously spent several months slowly expanding eligibility through phases 1a, 1b, and 1c, which included many essential workers, the elderly, and those most at risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing its most severe effects. 

3. Once I pre-register, how long should I expect to wait before getting vaccinated?

The Health Department is working as quickly as possible to secure doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to distribute to area residents. Under the current phase 1c eligbility guidelines, those who pre-register are being prioritized based on factors like age, occupation, and health conditions, and some door-to-door outreach is also being done to identify the most vulnerable communities, particularly those without internet access. Please remain patient and wait until the Health Department contacts you. 

4. I've pre-registered online - now what?

Once you have pre-registered for a COVID-19 vaccine through either the locally developed portal, the Southside and Pittsylvania-Danville Health Districts signup portal, OR the centralized, statewide portal for COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration you can sit back and wait for the Health Department to contact you. You can also check the status of your pre-registration to ensure that the Health Department has your information. 

It may be tempting to call or email repeatedly, but all communication channels are experiencing a significant backlog, so please just patient and wait for the Health Department to contact you. 

5. What is considered an underlying health condition?

Regardless of age, adults with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk for the more severe impacts of the virus that causes COVID-19 are eligible to receive a vaccine under Phase 1-B. If you have an underlying medical condition, please consult with your medical provider to determine if your condition warrants vaccine prioritization. Some of the most common medical conditions include: 

• Cancer
• Diabetes 
• Heart Conditions 
• Obesity 
• Pregnancy 
• Moderate to Severe Asthma 
• Hypertension or High Blood Pressure

6. I have questions about the effectiveness or safety of the vaccine - what should I do?

There are plenty of great resources from the Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control about the COVID-19 vaccines. Peruse this Virginia Department of Health list of frequently asked questions to find answers about availability, safety and development, what the vaccine does, and information about post-vaccination. 

7. Someone I know doesn't have internet access. Can I sign them up?

Since the Health Department phone lines have been overwhelmed by people trying to sign up for a vaccine or inquire about the status of their pre-registration, residents are encouraged to sign up their friends and family who don’t have internet access or don’t know how to use a computer. It is important that those without internet access, and especially those that fall under Phase 1-B, can be successfully pre-registered.