The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that Federal Retail Pharmacy partners will expand eligibility within Phase 1b to offer vaccines to individuals who are 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, as well as frontline essential workers, including:
- Police, Fire, and Hazmat
- Corrections and homeless shelters
- Food and Agriculture (including veterinarians)
- Manufacturing
- Grocery stores (including farmers’ market food vendors)
- Public transit (including rideshare drivers)
- Mail carriers (USPS and private)
- Officials needed to maintain continuity of government (including judges and public facing judicial workers)
- Clergy/faith leaders
- Janitorial/cleaning
The expansion follows the state’s recent announcement that some Virginia communities could move from Phase 1b to Phase 1c, based upon a variety of factors, including decreases in vaccine demand in those areas. Strong efforts continue to combat vaccine hesistancy, particularly among populations who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
There are more than 300 pharmacies currently receiving vaccines within this federal program, which has the ability to expand to over 1,000 pharmacies across Virginia as supply continues to increase. Pharmacy expansion is based on equitable and fair access, demand, and supply.
Individuals who are interested in getting vaccinated at a local pharmacy may visit VaccineFinder.org to find eligible locations, hours, phone numbers and scheduling links where available. While many pharmacies have continued to work directly with the health departments to vaccinate vulnerable populations from the state waitlist, some pharmacies have online scheduling for vaccine appointments. While seeking a pharmacy appointment, it is recommended to remain on the state waitlist until an appointment is secured.
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