Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts COVID-19 Vaccine Update

January 23, 2021

Media Contact: Michelle McPheron, nurse manager senior, michelle.mcpheron@vdh.virginia.gov, 276-328-1926

Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts COVID-19 Vaccine Update

(Wise, Va.) – The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts will begin vaccinating those ages 65 and older starting Monday, January 25. However, vaccine supply continues to be very limited.

Virginia will continue to receive about 100,000 doses per week from the federal government for the foreseeable future, likely through the end of February. Vaccine allocation will be based on population. The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts each have one percent of the state’s population, and will each receive one percent of the available vaccine doses. This allocation includes vaccine for health systems, local health departments, and community partners. It is a substantial reduction in vaccine compared to what has been allocated previously to the health district. Second doses are not part of this allocation, and are shipped separately. Second doses will be available, in time, for everyone who has received a first dose.

“Health systems, health districts and community partners in far Southwest Virginia will prioritize those most at risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19,” said Karen Shelton MD, interim district director. “Deaths from COVID-19 have been highest in our older populations. We will focus on vaccinating these groups, while continuing to vaccinate smaller numbers of Phase 1b essential workers.”

“As Governor Northam said, it is critical that those who are at highest risk are protected first,” continued Shelton, “so we must ask many people to wait for a vaccine. We know this is hard. We know everyone wants to be vaccinated quickly, and we wish there was enough vaccine for everyone right now. We will continue to vaccinate our community to the best of our ability with the resources we have available.”

As a result of the decreased vaccine supply to Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts, certain Phase 1b priority groups, including manufacturing, will experience a delay in receiving their vaccines.

Those with specific medical concerns or conditions should discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with their provider prior to their vaccine appointment.

Those who are in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19 or who have another illness with a fever are not eligible for vaccine until these conditions are resolved. Those who have had COVID-19 and received monoclonal antibodies or plasma treatment are not eligible to receive vaccine until 90 days after treatment.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine. For details on COVID-19 vaccination in Cumberland Plateau Health District, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/cumberland-plateau/; and in LENOWISCO Health District, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/lenowisco/.

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