Last week, officials admitted Virginia had one of the worst state rates for administering vaccine on hand. This week, the news is better.
Dr. Danny Avula, who coordinates Virginia’s vaccine distribution, says the state now ranks 21st when it comes to the percentage of COVID vaccine doses it’s administered, and he said Washington had promised 15% more next week. In addition, Avula said some doses that had been reserved as booster shots would now be given to those needing a first vaccination.
“That will allow us to get approximately 40,000 individuals to get their first doses this week,” he said during a press call Friday.
He was confident that vaccine supplies would grow, so that second doses could be given on time. Asked about hospitals that had vaccinated office staff and others who were not in touch with patients – among them, Sentara and UVA – Avula said that was a mistake.
“We really want hospitals to continue focusing on our priority populations and to do that in partnership with health departments," Avula explained. "And I would say most places across the state that is clearly happening.”
At this time, he said, people outside of priority groups 1A and 1B should not be getting shots. Instead, vaccine should only be offered to those over 65 years of age, people with certain underlying medical conditions and in late February or early March people whose work brings them into contact with the public.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
