While the supply is limited, COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to specific groups of people over a number of phases. Virginia guidance was
adapted from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations
that aim to (1) decrease COVID-19 deaths and serious disease, (2) preserve functioning of society, and (3) reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is
having on people already facing disparities.
Everyone who lives or works in Virginia should pre-register at vaccinate.virginia.gov or
877-VAX-IN-VA.
Virginia’s Phase 1b: Vaccinate Frontline Essential Workers, People Aged 65 years and Older, People aged 16 through 64 years with a High Risk
Medical Condition or Disability that Increases Their Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19, and People Living in Correctional Facilities,
Homeless Shelters and Migrant Labor Camps
Frontline Essential Workers
Definition of Frontline Essential Workers and Order of Vaccination Planning
Frontline Essential Workers include the following occupational groups that are in sectors essential to the functioning of society, at
substantially higher risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and cannot work remotely. If there is not sufficient supply to vaccinate everyone in Phase
1b at the same time, local health districts should vaccinate the Frontline Essential Worker groups in the following order:
- Police, Fire, and Hazmat
- Corrections and homeless shelter workers
- Childcare/PreK-12 Teachers/Staff (public and private)
- Food and Agriculture (including veterinarians)
- Manufacturing
- Grocery store workers
- Public transit workers
- Mail carriers (USPS and private)
- Officials needed to maintain continuity of government (including judges and public facing judicial workers)
- Clergy/Faith Leaders
- Janitorial/Cleaning
Overlap of vaccination of groups is expected to ensure people in Phase 1b are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Opportunities
to vaccinate Frontline Essential Workers should not be missed. Local health districts have discretion as to how to operationalize the list of
essential workers, with the expectation that they follow the general spirit of the enumerated list to the greatest extent possible.
The
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response is a framework that can be used to evaluate certain occupational groups to support prioritization decisions when the vaccine is in short
supply. It is intended to be used together with CDC-ACIP and VDH recommendations. The definitions provided in the guidance document can be used
to better understand certain types of workers. Examples of specific jobs that are included in some categories are listed below based on
frequently asked questions from the public. These examples do not include all possible jobs that fit into these categories.
Frontline Essential Workers by Order of Vaccination Planning
Because there is not sufficient supply at this time to vaccinate everyone in Phase 1b at the same time, local health districts will reach out to
engage the Frontline Essential Worker groups in vaccination planning in the following order:
Category |
Examples of jobs included |
Police, Fire, and Hazmat |
Lifeguards, emergency medical services (EMS) are included as first responders |
Corrections and Homeless Shelter |
Volunteers at homeless shelters, hotel workers if the hotel is serving as an alternate housing site for people experiencing homelessness
|
Childcare/PreK-12 Teachers/Staff |
Student teachers, classroom volunteers, day camp and overnight camp workers (when in session) |
Food and Agriculture |
Food bank/food pantry/food distribution site workers, butcher and slaughterhouse workers, wholesale producers of meat, vegetable, and
foods, alcoholic beverage producers, and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) workers
|
Grocery store |
Convenience store workers, employees of grocery shopping services (such as Instacart), farmer’s market vendors (if selling food),
employees of retail stores that sell food and other products
|
Public Transit |
Rideshare drivers, bus drivers |
Mail Carriers |
USPS and private companies |
Officials needed to maintain continuity of government |
Election and poll workers, public-facing DMV workers, law enforcement field services training coordinators, law enforcement accreditation
coordinators, law enforcement training providers, criminal history record specialists, K-12 school training providers
|
Clergy/Faith Leaders |
Member of the clergy / faith leader refers to a person formally designated within a religious group or faith community / congregation that
performs religious functions critical to the continuity of the faith community, congregation, or house of worship. A faith leader includes
but is not limited to: Apostle, Bishop, Cardinal, Minister, Nun, Imam, Pastor, Priest, Punjaris, and/or Rabbi
|
People Aged 65 years and Older
The risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe illness means that a person with
COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die. The goal of vaccinating this
population is to decrease the burden of disease and death caused by COVID-19. During Phase 1b, roughly half of each local health district's
allocation of doses should be used for this population.
People Aged 16 through 64 years with Certain Conditions or Disabilities that Increases Their Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19
This group is included in Phase 1b because they are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, which can result in hospitalization and
death. The goal of vaccinating this population is to decrease the burden of disease and death caused by COVID-19.
Healthcare providers may use clinical judgement to determine if a patient’s medical condition or disability warrants prioritization for
vaccination.
People Living in Correctional Facilities, Homeless Shelters, and Migrant Labor Camps
People living in correctional and detention facilities are at greater risk for COVID-19 because of close living arrangements with other people.
People living in homeless shelters are at increased risk because homeless services are often provided in congregate settings, which could
facilitate the spread of infection. Because many people who are experiencing homelessness are older adults or have underlying medical
conditions, they may also be at increased risk for severe illness. Individuals in migrant labor camps may experience living arrangements or
working conditions that put them at greater risk of getting COVID-19. Some migrant workers also have limited access to health care, as well as
certain underlying medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, compared to the rest of the U.S.
population.
How Persons Living in Correctional Facilities, Homeless Shelters, and Migrant Labor Camps Can Access Vaccination
The Department of Corrections, local and regional jails, and their occupational health programs will vaccinate staff and people living in
correctional facilities, with local health department assistance as needed. Those living in homeless shelters and migrant labor camps will
receive the vaccine through their local health department or through arrangements with healthcare systems and pharmacies.