April 2, 2021
Media Contact: Avanti Allen-Benson, Avanti.allen-benosn@vdh.virginia.gov
Portsmouth Health District Will Expand COVID-19 Vaccination to “Phase 1C” Recipients
(Portsmouth, Va.) – The Portsmouth Health District (PHD) announced today that the district will begin the transition to Phase 1c vaccinations today, and that all Portsmouth residents should be able to open to this group of essential workers.
The decision to move from one phase to the next is made in coordination with local and state health officials and is dependent upon a variety of factors. Before moving to 1c, the Portsmouth Health Department made strong efforts to reach all those eligible in 1a and 1b populations, particularly communities that have been disproportionately impacted, such as communities of color. The demand for vaccine has decreased among 1a and 1b populations.
“The Portsmouth Health Department is excited to announce we will be moving into phase 1c of vaccination,” stated Dr. Lauren James, MD, director, Portsmouth Health Department. “We will continue to offer vaccines to our community as we work towards herd immunity.”
The Portsmouth Health Department began vaccinating healthcare personnel in January, before moving to Phase 1b. Phase 1b includes those 65 and older, those 16-64 with underlying medical conditions and some frontline essential workers. Phase 1c includes additional essential workers, including those in the energy, construction, food services and other fields. Overlap of vaccination of groups may occur to ensure people in each phase are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible. A full list of those included in each phase is available on the VDH vaccine website.
Anyone who wants a vaccine should pre-register for an appointment by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) from 8 a.m.-8p.m., seven days a week. Representatives are available in English and Spanish, and translation is available in any of more than 100 languages. TTY dial 7-1-1.
Those who have pre-registered should check the list at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling the call center to ensure their information is accurate. Incomplete or inaccurate information could result in you not being contacted for an appointment.
If you are pre-registered, make sure you are checking your email and answering your phone because it could be an invitation to schedule your appointment.
For more information about Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, visit:
www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.
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