Following a press conference by Governor Ralph Northam announcing vaccine distribution to areas with a denser population, the Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) is asking for patience from the public as local demand for the COVID-19 vaccine far outweighs the supply to RAHD at this time. RAHD has entered Phase 1b of the vaccine rollout, including vaccinating individuals who are 65 and older or who have medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. Both RAHD and Stafford County prioritize seeing 65 and older vaccinated quickly. To that end, those eligible are asked to complete a survey online to indicate interest in getting the vaccine. For those unable to go online, Stafford’s community partner, Healthy Generations/ Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging, has established a hotline at (540) 371-3375 to take calls to assist those who are 65 and older to fill out the survey.
The process involves completing an online survey, which leads to registration and eventual appointments for receiving the vaccine. RAHD emphasizes that no one will be allowed to walk-in; vaccines are only by appointment. Again, these vaccines are only for those in Tier 1b. If you do not know in which tier you belong, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock to determine your eligibility.
Those 65 and older or those who have medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 are asked to visit https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=P3XR4WPEDC to complete the survey. This link may also be found on RAHD’s website at www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/.
See the process below:
- User completes a survey.
- Within a few days (or possibly weeks), the user will receive an email or phone call, depending upon your preference, from the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) asking the user to register in VAMS.
- Once registered, a user may make an appointment for the vaccine.
- The registrant must return in three to four weeks for a second dose.
The vaccine is being distributed by the Virginia Department of Health and the Rappahannock Area Health Department. Stafford County is not responsible for administering the vaccine. Again, Stafford residents aged 65 and older may call (540) 371-3375 for assistance in filling out the vaccine survey.