Virginia received 271,970 new doses of the vaccine in the past week from the federal government, and 22.7% of Virginians have received at least one vaccine dose. These vaccines have proven to be effective and with their help, we have hope that life can return to normal before too long.

Check out the VDH data dashboard and see the general VDH vaccine website to learn more.

Every Virginia resident should pre-register for the vaccine at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 1-877-829-4682. You can also use this website to check if you are already pre-registered. Once you are pre-registered, you can wait for the state to reach out to you when appointments are available in your area.

If you are in the 1b category of eligibility for the vaccine, you also have the option of signing up for an appointment with a private provider. The following providers are offering appointments in Virginia: CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, Safeway, Food Lion, Giant Food, and CPESN LLC (a network of small pharmacies).

You can use VaccineFinder to help locate available appointments near you.

Updates from local health districts in the 25th Senate District

Alleghany Health District

The priority groups in the Alleghany Health District are healthcare workers, people 65 and older, and certain essential workers including law enforcement, firefighters, licensed childcare staff and teachers. Invitations to sign up will come through an email or phone call.

If you have questions or concerns, you can call the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District Epidemiology Department: at 540-204-9995.

Blue Ridge Health District

The Blue Ridge Health District is closing the mass vaccination site at the former Kmart and replacing it with a new mass vaccination site at the former JCPenney store in the Fashion Square Mall (1639 Rio Road E, Charlottesville, Virginia).

The last day of appointments at Kmart was yesterday. The new site will begin operations on Tuesday 3/23. All second dose appointments that were previously scheduled for Kmart will now be scheduled at the JCPenney site.

For more information, the Blue Ridge Health District held a press conference this week that you can watch here.

Sign up to receive the BRHD newsletter here.

Central Shenandoah Health District

This week, the Central Shenandoah Health District expanded their effort to include all groups in the 1b category of eligibility. Unfilled appointment slots are posted on this website at 12:00 PM for the next day – if you are eligible and eager to get vaccinated be sure the check that site.

CSHD is hosting a COVID-19 Community Call-In on Wednesdays from 7-7:45 p.m. and for Spanish speakers from 6-6:45 p.m. If you wish to listen in, call 1-844-992-4729 and enter the following access number: 132 173 5589.

A private provider, Augusta Health, posts appointment slots on their website a few days in advance. However, they fill up quickly.

Sign up to receive the CSHD newsletter here.

If you need assistance with state government or if I can be of service to you, the best way to reach me is at my Hot Springs office at (540) 839-2473, my Charlottesville office at (434) 296-5491, or by email at [email protected].