RICHMOND— Virginia Governor Ralph Northam Wednesday announced new actions to support the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution program and accelerate the pace of vaccinations across Virginia.
Governor Northam has taken the following five steps to help providers increase the rate of vaccinations as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible:
- Vaccination goal. The governor set an initial goal of vaccinating 25,000 Virginians each day when supply allows.
- ‘Use it or lose it’ model. Medical facilities will be required to put the vaccine they receive into arms as soon as possible or risk having future vaccine allotments reduced.
- Dr. Danny T.K. Avula will lead vaccination efforts in Virginia. The governor appointed Dr. Avula, who serves as director of the Richmond City and Henrico County Health Departments, to coordinate work among state officials, local health departments, hospitals and private providers.
- Expanded priority groups. The governor announced that K-12 teachers and child care workers will be among the next priority groups to receive vaccinations after Group A and outlined the populations that will be included in Groups B and C.
- Elevating the Virginia National Guard. As the commonwealth receives more doses, the Virginia National Guard will provide logistical support and help local health departments with administering the vaccines.
“Getting Virginians vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to end this pandemic, rebuild our economy and move our Commonwealth forward,” Northam said. “By setting clear goals and appointing Dr. Avula to spearhead our vaccination program, we will have a clear vision of how this effort—the largest public vaccination campaign in modern history—is progressing. I plan to get vaccinated when my turn comes, and I encourage Virginians to do the same.”
The vaccination overview the governor released Wednesday established priorities for three groups ahead of the general population.
Group A (500,000 people) includes healthcare personnel and persons living in long-term care facilities.
Group B (1.2 million people) includes frontline essential workers in specific industries, K-12 teachers and staff, childcare providers, adults age 75 and older and people living in correctional facilities, homeless shelters and migrant labor camps.
Group C (2.5 million people) 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.
The Virginia Department of Health is developing an online portal to help people understand how to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
