Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has provided additional details about the commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts that will begin to ramp up in the coming weeks. This announcement provides additional clarity to when and where members of the public will receive COVID-19 vaccine when it is their turn.
Priority Groups
To date, the highest-priority members of our community have been receiving COVID-19 vaccine from hospital systems, pharmacies, and Loudoun County government. The “Phase 1a” group includes health care workers, EMS personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
Phase 1b includes essential front-line workers who are defined as essential to the functioning of society and people who are at higher risk of exposure to the virus. Members of the 1b group include:
- Persons aged 75 years and older
- Law enforcement, firefighters and hazmat workers
- Corrections and homeless shelter workers
- Child care/K-12 teachers/staff
- Food, agriculture and manufacturing workers
- Grocery store workers
- Public transit workers
- Mail carriers/package delivery services
Phase 1c includes other essential workers, older adults and people with certain medical conditions, such as:
- People aged 65-74
- People aged 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions or disabilities that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19
- Utility workers
- Housing construction workers
- Food service workers
- Faculty and staff at institutions of higher education
- Media
- Officials needed to maintain the continuity of government.
View the details about the vaccination priority groups on the VDH website.
Following the vaccination of people in the priority Phases 1a, 1b and 1c, vaccination opportunities will be expanded to include everyone else in the general population.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has not yet indicated when Phase 1b and 1c vaccination will begin. Loudoun County is working with its community partners, which include pharmacies, healthcare systems, schools and employers, to plan for the vaccination of people in Phase 1b and 1c when the time comes, and vaccine supplies are adequate to move into future phases of prioritized vaccination.
Where to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
Plans generally call for people eventually to receive COVID-19 vaccine through various channels in the community, much like you receive an annual flu vaccine. VDH has indicated that more than 2,000 providers have already signed up to distribute COVID-19 vaccine. This means that as supplies of vaccine become increasingly available, COVID-19 vaccine eventually will be available through health care providers and pharmacies, and in some cases through employers. In addition, Loudoun County will host vaccination events as needed.
Governor Northam announced plans to work toward a goal of vaccinating 25,000 to 50,000 Virginians per day in the coming months as vaccine supplies increase.
How to Know When it’s Your Turn to Get Vaccinated
People eligible for COVID-19 vaccine now—people in Phase 1a—have been contacted by their employers, designated pharmacies and Loudoun County. Local health care systems and pharmacies began vaccinating people in December. In addition, since December 28, 2020, Loudoun County has been vaccinating other people in Phase 1a on a daily basis.
Loudoun County will announce when other phases of the vaccination process will begin, as well as information about vaccination opportunities provided by the county. To receive text or email updates about COVID-19 from Loudoun County:
Stay Vigilant in Slowing the Spread of COVID-19
Before and after Loudoun residents receive a COVID-19 vaccine, everyone is encouraged to continue taking the steps that help prevent the spread of the disease, including washing hands frequently, wearing face coverings, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings of people and staying home when sick. Learn more about COVID-19 prevention and care on the county’s website.
Residents with questions about COVID-19 may call the Loudoun County Health Department’s information line, 703-737-8300, or send an email.
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