[Archived] City of Alexandria Expands Vaccination Eligibility to All Residents Ages 16 and Over

­­For Immediate Release: April 12, 2021

Alexandria Health Department (AHD) has moved into Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccinations, expanding eligibility to all residents ages 16 and over. Many pre-registered individuals have already received emails to schedule an appointment for as soon as this week. 

“We’re excited to offer vaccine appointments to more Alexandria residents and essential workers ahead of schedule,” said Acting Health Director Dr. Anne Gaddy. “This is a big step toward reaching herd immunity and protecting our community.”

In addition to mass vaccination clinics, AHD allocates vaccine to more than a dozen vaccinating partners, such as pharmacies and private medical practices, to increase local appointment capacity. Residents may be contacted directly by providers to schedule an appointment, and individuals can confirm the legitimacy of these emails by calling the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 703.746.4988. Residents may also be contacted by email from vaccinatevirginia@info.virginia.gov as part of a new Virginia Department of Health scheduling tool, called VASE.

While eligibility has expanded, appointment availability will continue to depend on vaccine supply and vaccinating all residents ages 16 and over may take several months. Those who qualify as Phase 1a, 1b, and 1c will receive prioritization for vaccination. All residents should pre-register at alexandriava.gov/Vaccines to be contacted for an appointment.

It is not yet known the exact percentage of vaccinated people needed to reach herd immunity, which is the point when enough people are protected that the virus can no longer spread effectively. AHD is aiming to vaccinate a minimum of 80% of Alexandria residents ages 16 and over. Currently, 20% of residents are fully vaccinated, with more than a third partially vaccinated.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Vaccines to learn more, pre-register for vaccine, and view Alexandria’s vaccination progress. All residents are encouraged to pre-register now.

For support pre-registering for vaccine, contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 703.746.4988.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Natalie Talis, Population Health Manager, at natalie.talis@vdh.virginia.gov or 703.746.4914.