March 4, 2021
Media Contact: Robert Parker, public information officer, Western Region, robert.parker@vdh.virginia.gov
PITTSYLVANIA/DANVILLE HEALTH DISTRICT HOLDS CLOSED COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC FOR 1st DOSES FRIDAY AT DANVILLE MALL
(DANVILLE, Va.) – The Virginia Department of Health’s Pittsylvania/Danville Health District, with the support of local COVID-19 response partners, will hold another vaccination clinic Friday, March 5 at the former J. C. Penney store on the Danville Mall campus, 499 Mall Drive in Danville.
This closed “point of dispensing” (POD) event is to provide first doses of Moderna vaccine, by appointment only. All available appointments for this event have been filled, for those eligible in the highest priority groups who pre-registered at VDH’s central online portal or call center.
“Collaborative and ongoing efforts are under way to vaccinate those in Phases 1a and 1b who are most at risk of falling ill with COVID-19, and most critical to healthcare, public safety and the essential functions of society and to reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on people already facing disparities,” said Scott J. Spillmann, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Pittsylvania/Danville and Southside Health Districts. Thus far, nearly 8,500 vaccinations have been administered in Danville and more than 13,000 in Pittsylvania County.
Though vaccine supply is improving, it remains limited. All Virginia health districts continue to vaccinate prioritized individuals in Phases 1a and 1b.
To pre-register for a future vaccination event, visit www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or call the COVID Vaccine Hotline at 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682). English- and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Translation services also are available, in more than 100 languages. Though vaccine supply is limited and not yet widely available, anyone may pre-register.
Pre-registering DOES NOT RESERVE A VACCINE OR CREATE AN APPOINTMENT but it collects contact information so that when vaccine is available, VDH can contact you to make an appointment. Friends and family members may also pre-register for those with limited or no computer resources. ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
“Vaccine demand is extraordinarily high and supplies remain limited,” said Dr. Spillmann. “Please be patient. You will be contacted as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Please do not pre-register multiple times.”
“We also ask that everyone who attends the POD continue to follow the three Ws: Wear a mask, Watch your distance (stay at least six feet apart) and Wash your hands,” Dr. Spillmann continued. “We will have areas for waiting at safe distances both before and after vaccination, and have arranged more private vaccination areas for those with special needs. We ask all who are to be vaccinated to please wear ‘vaccine ready’ clothing if possible (giving easy access to your upper arm) and that you arrive at your appointed time and bring your driver’s license or other documentation confirming your identity.”
“We continue to need volunteers to support our vaccination efforts, particularly those who are certified to give vaccines,” Dr. Spillmann continued. “Through the Medical Reserve Corps, anyone can volunteer to provide medical and non-medical support to help our communities recover from this pandemic.” For more information, visit www.vamrc.org.
These PODs are presented with cooperation and support from Sovah Health-Danville, the City of Danville Pittsylvania County, the Averett University and Danville Community College Schools of Nursing, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. The City worked with Hull Property Group, which owns and operates the mall, to secure the space.
To pre-register for COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682). For more information on COVID-19 in Virginia, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.
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MEDIA NOTE:
A media tour of the POD, and an opportunity to capture videos and photos of the interior (but not interviews) will be offered Friday morning from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. Interviews with selected agency representatives and local government officials will be available from 8 to 9 a.m. at the lower level entrance on the Mount Cross Road side of the building.
If you are interested in either, please contact Arnold Hendrix, public information officer for the City of Danville, at arnold.hendrix@danvilleva.gov or 434-835-7102 NO LATER THAN 6 p.m., Thursday, March 4.
To protect patient privacy, access inside the facility is not available, other than during the 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. media tour. You may respectfully approach attendees outside of the facility and talk to them there during the 8 to 9 a.m. availability, if they provide consent.
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