The year 2020 yielded one of history’s greatest pandemics: COVID-19. Since the World Health Organization declared it a global health emergency last January, there have been more than a half million coronavirus deaths across the country. To put that into context, that is a daily average of about 1,110 fatalities.
Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic can be both maddening and convoluted. In one aspect, vaccination has proven to be remarkably effective, although there is way more demand for the vaccine than available doses.
The first COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized for emergency use was Pfizer. The Moderna vaccine, which was developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, received U.S. authorization on December 18, 2020. So far this year, Virginia has administered more than one million COVID-19 vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) makes recommendations for who should get the vaccine, then each state determines the eligibility and distribution. Roughly 50 percent of Virginia’s population, according to the Central Office of the Virginia Department of Health, is currently eligible to receive a vaccination.
While all Virginia health districts must adhere to the vaccine phases outlined by the CDC, different districts have varying resources, vaccine allotments, partners and communities. Individuals can find out if they fall under Phase A or Phase B by filling out a vaccine questionnaire on the Virginia Department of Health’s website – (vdh.virginia.gov). Virginians who do not fall under the priority categories will be offered the vaccine once its widely available.
Healthcare workers and residents aged 65 and above currently are among the priority groups for the shot. The first three tiers of essential workers are law enforcement, fire and hazmat, corrections and homeless shelter residents as well as staff and licensed childcare and pre-K-12 grade teachers and staff.
When it comes to taking the COVID-19 vaccine, Virginians often have three questions: How is it administered? Is it safe? Are there any side effects? Health experts throughout Southwest Virginia continue to work diligently to provide the community with the most up-to-date information.
The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) consists of Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke and Alleghany Counties, and the cities of Salem, Covington and Roanoke. The New River Health District consists of Radford City and the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski.
RCAHD Director Dr. Cynthia Morrow says, “Unfortunately, it will be months for all who are currently eligible under Phase 1b guidelines to be able to receive a vaccine. Even though Phase 1b was expanded by the governor to include many over the age of 65 and those aged 16 and up with serious medical conditions, we understand the disappointment that the vaccine supply is simply not sufficient enough to get to all who are currently eligible.”
Morrow added, “While we continue to face many challenges with respect to vaccine distribution, there is much to celebrate. In recent weeks of this pandemic, RCAHD staff have been working long hours to pull together vaccine opportunities for our community.”
Dr. Noelle Bissell, the New River Health District director said, “Even within the priority groups there has to be prioritization. We simply do not have enough vaccine to give everyone who is eligible or needs it in short order. It will take months.
“Every vaccine is one shot closer to achieving herd immunity and ending the pandemic. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we have to hang in there together and remain vigilant with watching our distance, wearing our masks and washing our hands, even those who are vaccinated.”
Confidence in the vaccination shot is the highest it has ever been – 60 percent, according to a recent Pew Research Poll. Only nine states according to the CDC, have given more doses than Virginia. CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid and other pharmacies are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to qualified individuals.
Currently, the Commonwealth is receiving shipments of approximately of more than 200,000 vaccine doses weekly. The RCAHD, at least for the foreseeable future, is expected to receive 3,150 doses per week. That number is about 2,075 for the New River Health District. More than 10,000 vaccine shots to frontline essential workers already have been dispensed. Data shows that Hispanic and Black people have received a smaller share of COVID-19 vaccinations while the death rate among people of color is greater.
“Equity in vaccine distribution is a significant concern. We have to do a lot of outreach to get to the populations we know are at higher risk from COVID. We also know they may be more vaccine hesitant,” Bissell said. “We have to gain their trust that the vaccine is safe and effective. We work with our community partners who already have those relationships and trust to help connect us.”
During a January press conference, Northam said, “As a doctor, I can tell you the incredible effort and cooperation it took to develop these vaccines. It shows us what we can do when people work together for the common good. The vaccines are our way out of this pandemic. The vaccines, and continuing to follow the guidelines on masks, distancing and hand washing. I urge you to get vaccinated when your turn comes.”
He added, “This is how we get back to a new normal. This is how we reopen our schools and rebuild our economy: through the vaccine. It is the light at the end of a long and dark tunnel. And while it is a massive undertaking, and it will take some months to get to everyone, I promise: your turn is coming, and soon.”
Roanoke County resident James Carney knows first-hand the effects of the coronavirus. “Initially, I was someone who dismissed coronavirus and approached it with a nonchalant attitude,” he said. “I only sometimes wore a mask out in public and didn’t properly follow the social distancing guidelines. As a result, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that I contracted COVID. This thing is no joke. Listening to what the experts say may be an inconvenience at times, but it certainly beats the alternative. I don’t want people to make the same mistake that I did.”
Almost one-fifth of the U.S. economy is healthcare. Lately, many have been unable or reluctant to get medical care if it is not connected to the coronavirus. The term “health equity” means that efforts are intended to assure residents have access to the vaccine, no matter who they are, where they live or how much they earn annually.
“We also need to consider communities that have had higher rates of COVID-19 or lower rates of interest in the vaccine. To achieve health equity, we need to consider what disadvantages some of our residents may face and we need to work with our partners to overcome those disadvantages,” Morrow said.
In January, the RCAHD hired an immunization nurse to help the nursing and clinical team, welcomed and trained five National Guard members to support the clinic response and hosted seven full vaccination clinics in Roanoke, Salem and Covington, vaccinating more than 8,000 in the community.
The New River Health District vaccinates daily Monday through Friday. For current information, visit both the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District and New River Health District Facebook pages.
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