County update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution locally

On Friday, January 15, 2021, Warren County Emergency Services Deputy Director Rick Farrall released the latest information on the multi-pronged effort to distribute the COVID-19 Coronavirus vaccine through the combined efforts of the Lord Fairfax Health District, Valley Health, and CVS Pharmacy. Royal Examiner will have more on the bulk of these efforts centered at the 15th Street Warren County Health and Human Services Complex Parks and Rec gymnasium in a follow-up story in the coming days.

As noted below in category “d. xiii” there are no dates yet established for Phase 1b and 1c categories, including second and third round essential workers categories and the general public.  However, that is expected to be announced and begin in the coming week.

Above, approaching the 15th Street Health & Human Services complex from the south on Massanutten Avenue, the gym entrance is at the far left of the photo. Below, a closer look at the lone vaccine access point at the rear or west side of the old middle school facility. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini

An outline of Warren County distribution efforts as currently available is below. We have moved the “Prioritized Distribution” information related to various qualifying categories, item “d” up, but keep reading if you might be interested, or know someone who would, like to volunteer to help with vaccine distribution efforts at the 15th Street location in Front Royal:

COMMUNITY INFORMATION:

1. Valley Health – VDH Lord Fairfax Health District Vaccine Information (as of 1/15/2021)

a. VACCINE SIGN-UP: In partnership with Valley Health and the Lord Fairfax Health District, distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is now occurring in Warren County. For the most up-to-date information on where and when to locally receive the vaccine, visit: https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/patients-visitors/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/covid-19-vaccinations/

d. PRIORITIZED DISTRIBUTION: The CDC’s Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) prioritized the initial distribution of the vaccine (as available) to health care personnel (hospital and EMS based) and residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF). Other Phase I groups (in order) include essential workers, people at higher risk for severe disease (over the age of 75); Phase II – other (specified) populations; and Phase III – the general public. Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination began late last month in Warren County.

ix. December 2020: Lord Fairfax Health District began Phase 1a distribution of the vaccine last week and this week (Clarke and Warren County first responders/age 75+).

1. Health Care personnel (Round 1 complete, Round 2 planned)

2. LTCF Residents and Staff (see below)

x. January 2021: The CDC is allocating the vaccine directly to CVS to vaccinate Phase 1a long-term care residents. CVS began this process locally this month (going directly to our long-term care facilities).

1. Commonwealth Senior Living (Round 1 complete, Round 2 scheduled)

2. Fox Trail Senior Living (Round 1 scheduled. Round 2 TBD)

3. Heritage Hall (TBD)

4. Hidden Springs (Round 1 and 2 scheduled)

5. Lynn Care (Round 1 complete, Round 2 scheduled)

6. Shenandoah Senior Living (Round 1 scheduled, Round 2 scheduled)

7. Woods Cove (TBD)

xi. January 2021: The next allocation (“Phase 1b”) of vaccinations the County receives will be for front-line essential workers and persons age 75 and older. Front line essential workers include (in priority order):

1. Police, Fire, and HAZMAT (Round 1 complete, Round 2 scheduled)

2. Corrections workers (Round 1 scheduled)

3. Childcare, K-12 Teachers and Staff (Round 1 scheduled)

4. Food and Agriculture (TBD)

5. Manufacturing (TBD)

6. U.S. Postal Service workers (TBD)

7. Public Transit workers (TBD)

8. Grocery Store workers (TBD)

9. Persons Age 75 and older (Round 1 in progress)

xii. The following allocation (“Phase 1c”) of vaccinations will be for other essential workers, persons age 64-75, and persons age 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions. Other essential workers include (in priority order – all below 1-10 categories planning TBD):

1. Transportation and Logistics

2. Food Service

3. Shelter and Housing (construction)

4. Finance

5. IT and Communication

6. Energy

7. Media

8. Legal

9. Public Safety (engineers)

10. Water and Wastewater

xiii. There is no date established for the Phase 1b or 1c allocations at this time.

b. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: In order to distribute the COVID-19 vaccination in the quickest and most efficient manner, volunteers are needed to fill essential roles in the operation of the Warren County Point of Distribution (POD) site at the 15th St. Gym. The six essential roles are:

ii. Greeter: an adult that checks patients in and directs them to the next station

iii. Navigator: a clinical provider that reviews forms and looks for any “red flags”

iv. Observer: an adult that monitors patients for 15 minutes after the injection of the vaccination to monitor for any adverse side effects; must have Basic Life Support certification or above

v. Pharmacist: prepares the vaccine for injection; must be currently licensed

vi. Runner/Floater: monitors vaccine inventory and assists in communicating between POD stations

vii. Vaccinator: a health care provider that administers the COVID-19 vaccination; must be a currently licensed/certified LPN, RN, M.D., D.O., AEMT, EMT-I, EMT-P

c. SIGN-UP GENIUS: If you meet the above criteria, and are willing to volunteer during the operation of the COVID-19 POD in Warren County, please visit the below site to sign-up:
viii. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44aaaa22a7f8c43-clinic1

e. No further details available at this time, more to follow.

While there is only one entrance to the sign-in table, there are two usable exits, the second shown here, slightly to the north of the entrance door.