COVID vaccination update as second week of March approaches: supply chain, registration & volunteers

The following information is part of County Emergency Coordinator and COVID-19 point-man Rick Farrall’s “Phase-Three SITREP (Situation Report)” regarding vaccination information and anticipated schedules based on vaccine availability originating at the federal and state levels filtering down to localities:

COMMUNITY INFORMATION, as of March 4, 2021: 

2. THIS WEEK:  There are no advertised “first or second dose” vaccination clinics this week at the 15^th St. Gym.
3. FOLLOWING WEEK:
   1. There is a limited amount of vaccine that will be distributed to the Lord Fairfax Health District (includes Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren, and Winchester) next week.  Our local/District system is set-up to maximize distribution of the vaccine, once it is available.  The limiting factor is the national supply chain distribution of the vaccine down to the local level.  We ask for everyone’s continued patience as we work through this monumental process.
   2. Valley Health (Pfizer) and VDH (Moderna) will host two closed COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at the 15^th St. Gym; this is for “first dose” vaccinations only.

Approaching the 15th Street gym, at left-center of photo, on Massanutten Ave. Below, the gym entrance for COVID vaccination check in. Royal Examiner File Photos by Roger Bianchini

2. Valley Health – VDH Lord Fairfax Health District Vaccine Information (as of 3/3/2021)
   1. STATEWIDE:
      1. Governor Northam Unveils Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration System
         1. Article: governor.virginia.gov/newsroom
         2. Pre-Registration Website & Phone Number: vaccinate.virginia.gov or 1-877-VAX-IN-VA
         3. Locally, VDH and Valley Health officials recommend that anyone who wants the COVID-19 vaccination (and is not currently scheduled to, or has already received the vaccination) to pre-register on this website.
         4. In the near future, VDH and Valley Health intends to fully transition to using this “list” by merging all current “lists” and processes into one.
         5. This list is not going to be a first-come, first-served list, but rather will be used to make appointment lists for planned clinics, whose invited patients will favor the more elderly and vulnerable.  All 1a and 1b eligible persons should be able to now sign up.

1. 1. 2. VDH COVID-19 Vaccination Response (Current VDH Information):
         1. vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19

1. 1. 3. 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:
         3. valleyhealthlink.com/patients-visitors

6. 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.  Other Phase I groups (in order) include essential workers, people at higher risk for severe disease (over age of 75); Phase II – other populations; and Phase III – the general public. See a December through February “Prioritized Distribution” status report below the Volunteer information.

4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  In order to distribute the COVID-19 vaccination in 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 15^thSt. Gym.  The six essential roles are:

Check in is in distance, check out in foreground, as volunteers and Valley Health personnel combine to make the vaccination process as safe, comfortable and efficient as possible.

1. 2. Greeter:  an adult that checks patients in and directs them to the next station
   3. Navigator:  a clinical provider that reviews forms and looks for any “red flags”
   4. 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
      Pharmacist:  prepares the vaccine for injection; must be currently licensed
   5. Runner/Floater:  monitors vaccine inventory and assists in communicating between POD stations
   6. 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

5. 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: signupgenius.com/go
6. PRIORITIZED DISTRIBUTION report:
   9. 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)

1. 1. 10. January-February 2021:  The CDC is allocating the vaccine directly to CVS to vaccinate Phase 1a long term care residents.  CVS began this process locally … (going directly to our long-term care facilities).
          1. Commonwealth Senior Living (Round 1 complete, 2 started)
          2. Fox Trail Senior Living (Round 1 complete, 2 started)
          3. Heritage Hall (Round 1 started, 2 TBD)
          4. Hidden Springs (Round 1 complete, 2 started)
          5. Woods Cove (Round 1 complete, 2 scheduled)
          6. Shenandoah Senior Living (Round 1 complete, 2 started)
          7. Lynn Care (Round 1 complete, 2 started)
          8. Woods Cove (Round 1 complete, Round 2 scheduled)

11. January-February 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 as required)
    2. Corrections workers(Round 1 complete, Round 2 as required)
    3. Childcare, K-12 Teachers/Staff(Round 1 complete, Round 2 as required)
    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. Officials needed to maintain continuity of government (TBD)
    10. Persons Age 75 (65) and older(Round 1 ongoing, Round 2 scheduled)
12. 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):
    1. Transportation and Logistics (all below 1-10 categories planning TBD)
    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
13. There is no date established for the Phase 1c allocations at this time.

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