April 2, 2021
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, public information officer, Central Region, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
Piedmont Health District Will Expand COVID-19 Vaccination to “Phase 1c” Recipients
(FARMVILLE, Va.) — Effective Monday, April 5, the Virginia Department of Health’s Piedmont Health District will move into 1c COVID-19 vaccinations. PHD will continue to prioritize vaccination for anyone in Phase 1a and 1b who registers to receive it. Overlap of vaccination of phases may occur to ensure people in each phase are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“While we will continue to give preference to 1a and 1b individuals, we are pleased to expand vaccination eligibility to other essential workers in our district,” said Dr. Sulola Adekoya, acting director of the PHD.
While Phase 1b opened vaccination eligibility to frontline essential workers in prioritized industries, Phase 1c further expands vaccination to other essential workers. Phase 1c includes those from the following industries: energy; water, wastewater, and waste removal (includes recycling removal); housing and construction; food service; transportation and logistics; institutions of higher education (faculty and staff only); finance; information technology & communication; media; legal services; public safety (including engineers); other public health workers; and barbers, stylists, and hairdressers.
All phases are defined in detail at www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.
Everyone interested in receiving a vaccination should pre-register, as completely as possible, to include appropriate essential worker category, at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682).
When you receive your appointment for a vaccine, please follow these guidelines at the vaccination site:
- Appointments are required at all locations for COVID-19 vaccination in our area. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Please pre-register to be contacted for an appointment.
- Please plan to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your appointment time. Too many people arriving too early causes backups.
- Please wear “vaccine ready” clothing to the extent feasible (with easy access to your upper arm).
In the meantime, it is important to remain vigilant in COVID-19 prevention. 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.
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