March 31, 2021
Media Contact: Caitlin Hodge, Caitlin.Hodge@vdh.virginia.gov
Chickahominy Health District Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination to Include Phase 1C
(Ashland, Va.) — Effective April 1, the Virginia Department of Health’s Chickahominy Health District (CHD) will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include community members who are part of the priority group 1c. The district will continue to prioritize vaccinations for community members from the counties of Charles City, Goochland, Hanover, and New Kent who are part of Phase 1a and 1b, who have not yet been vaccinated. An overlap of vaccine phases will occur to ensure people in each phase are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“As of today, according to the Virginia Department of Health, 54,380 individuals within the district have received at least one dose of vaccine, representing 34% of the entire population,” stated Dr. Tom Franck, director of the Chickahominy Health District. “We are encouraged by these numbers and by the progress made over the course of the last couple months. Between one-half and three-quarters of our highest risk population has now received a vaccine and it’s now time to open our clinics to people in Phase 1c. We could only have achieved this milestone through the tremendous efforts of our county partners and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers working in conjunction with our public health staff.”
While Phase 1b opened vaccination eligibility to many frontline essential workers, Phase 1c further expands that group to include the following industries: water, wastewater, and waste/recycling removal; energy; housing and construction; food service; transportation and logistics; institutions of higher education (faculty and staff); finance; information technology & communication; media; legal services; public safety (including engineers); other public health workers; and barbers, stylists/hairdressers. All phases are explained in detail here: www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/. The district anticipates expanding to Phase 2 by mid-April.
Everyone interested in receiving a vaccination should pre-register at www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682). They can also call the district’s local call center at 804-365-3240 (open Mon. – Fri. from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
When you receive your appointment for a vaccine, please follow these guidelines at the clinic site: • Appointments are required at all locations for COVID-19 vaccines. Walk-ins will not be accepted. • Please plan to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your appointment time – too many people arriving too early could lead to backups. • Please wear a facemask and “vaccine ready” clothing to the extent feasible (with easy access to your upper arm).
In the meantime, it is important to remain vigilant with COVID-19 prevention measures. Please continue to protect yourself and others: cover your mouth and nose with a mask, wash your hands often, stay at least six feet away from others, and avoid gatherings with anyone who is not a member of your household.
You can learn more about the vaccine, its safety and answers to frequently asked questions at VDH’s website and CDC’s website.
# # #