7,000 RICHMOND AREA SENIORS TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINES THIS WEEKEND

January 28, 2021

Media Contact: Cat Long – RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov

7,000 RICHMOND AREA SENIORS TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINES THIS WEEKEND

RICHMOND, VA – Richmond area seniors are eligible to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at one of three senior specific events happening January 29th-31st (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). About 7,000 qualified individuals who have filled out interest forms will be contacted to make an appointment at one of these events. The events are put on by Henrico County, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, Chesterfield Health District, and Chickahominy Health District and will supplement each local health district’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Many eligible seniors who filled out an interest form will be contacted to register for an appointment. We strongly recommend seniors who filled out a form check their e-mail and answer their phone. Schedulers will work through the interest form lists; seniors will receive one e-mail and two phone calls before the scheduler moves on to the next person. Directions in the e-mail must be completed by the deadline listed. Due to the high volume of registrations, we are unable to accept calls back from seniors, so it is important they answer the phone. Phone calls will be made between 8:00a.m.-8:00p.m. until all appointments are filled.

“Seniors are such a vital part of our community and they’ve gone through such hardship this pandemic,” says Nurse Manager at RHHD Amy Popovich, “we’re grateful for this opportunity to serve them.”

Tom Franck, MD, Director of Chickahominy Health District agrees: “Our elderly communities are among the most vulnerable in terms of risk once they contract COVID-19. This vaccine opportunity promises to bring hope and encouragement to many people.”

In alignment with Governor Northam’s announcement on January 27th that a portion of health systems’ vaccine supply are to be redistributed to local health districts for vaccination of priority populations, VCU Health System donated vaccines to this effort. The generosity of the health system will supplement existing local health district vaccine supplies to vaccinate the elderly population—who make up more than 75% of Virginia’s COVID-19 related deaths—this weekend.

“We understand the significance this partnership across health systems and the local health districts will play for our senior adults,” explains Alexander Samuel, MD, Director of Chesterfield Health District. “We are taking the responsibility of vaccinating this community very seriously.”

Senior events will feature adjustments to make the events more accessible—a limited option to have a vaccine come to your car, shorter walking distances, additional staff to increase the time spent with each patient, and more. The events will predominantly serve adults aged 75+.

“In addition to offering our communities this life-saving resource, we’ve also heard that the experience has been good overall,” notes Henrico County Emergency Manager Jackson Baynard. “We want to create a comfortable and safe environment for our seniors.”

All qualifying individuals who are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine should fill out the appropriate interest form or call for assistance.

About Richmond and Henrico Health Districts: RCHD and HCHD are sister public health agencies serving Richmond’s and Henrico’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.