News release by Virginia Department of Health
The Virginia Department of Health’s Pittsylvania/Danville Health District, with the support of local COVID-19 response partners, will hold another vaccination clinic Saturday, February 20 at the Averett University E. Stuart James Grant North Campus, 707 Mt. Cross Road in Danville.
This closed “point of dispensing” (POD) event is to provide second doses ONLY FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE AT AVERETT’S NORTH CAMPUS ON JANUARY 23, 2021.
“We have spent the last four weeks focused on providing first doses to those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19, and of experiencing more serious effects of illness. This weekend we begin a series of second dose PODs for those individuals, with Saturday’s event at Averett,” said Scott J. Spillmann, MD, MPH, health director, Pittsylvania/Danville and Southside Health Districts. “We must emphasize that it is only for second doses for those who were vaccinated at the Averett POD on January 23. We will NOT have enough doses or staffing to give any first doses, or to vaccinate other individuals.”
Those eligible for vaccine in Phases 1a and 1b can pre-register at VDH’s new consolidated website at www.vaccinate.virginia.gov. Or call the state’s new COVID Vaccine Hotline at 1-877-VAX-IN-VA. English- and Spanish-speaking operators are available. Translation services also are available, in more than 100 languages.
Those that pre-registered previously at one of VDH’s local portals will automatically be merged into the new database. It is not necessary to register again. You can check and confirm your status at www.vaccinate.virginia.gov. The data merger continues this week, so if your information does not appear immediately, try again after a few days.
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 significantly 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 the CDC vaccination card given to you with your first dose, or 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.
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. Thus far, nearly 8,700 vaccinations have been administered in Danville and nearly 7,000 in Pittsylvania County.
For more information on COVID-19 and vaccination, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/.