Protect Yourself from COVID-19: Get Vaccinated!

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, free and they can save your life. When enough people get vaccinated, we can get back to normal.

The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) and our vaccinating partners use the Virginia Department of Health pre-registration list to offer appointments. Sign up and you will be contacted to schedule your vaccination.

Now Vaccinating: Phases 1 and 2

All Residents Ages 16+ and Essential Workers

AHD will continue to focus on large events and vulnerable communities. LEARN MORE

To ensure you receive an appointment as soon as you are eligible, please update your record.

For more information, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline at 703.746.4988 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Update on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released  a joint statement recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution. To date, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the U.S., and there have been six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine. This safety concern has not been seen in other vaccines currently authorized for use in the U.S. According to the CDC, all six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48 with symptoms occurring 6 to 13 days after vaccination.

Individuals with Existing Appointments for Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Alexandria Health Department is pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those who had Johnson & Johnson appointments with Alexandria Health Department (AHD) scheduled on Thursday, April 15 can keep their appointment and receive Moderna instead. Those with AHD appointments on Sunday, April 18 will receive Pfizer. If you wish to cancel your appointment – please fill out this  brief form so we can open your appointment for another person. You will keep your spot in line and can reschedule when additional appointments become available. If you have a Johnson & Johnson appointment with another provider, contact them directly to learn about your options. 

Already Received a Johnson & Johnson Vaccine?

The CDC and FDA have emphasized that the possible side effect from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is extremely rare. People who have already received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the  Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Anyone who has already received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine does not need to receive another type of vaccine. The vaccine will provide protection against COVID-19. The CDC expects to release updated guidance on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as soon as possible.

Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine in Alexandria

Follow these six easy steps to get the vaccine from the Alexandria Health Department (AHD).

LEARN MORE

Scheduling an Appointment

Everyone eligible in Phase 1a, 1b, or 1c who pre-registered prior to April 19 should have received an invitation to schedule a vaccine appointment. If you have not received an invitation to schedule, first check your spam folder. If you have not been contacted, please complete this form. Provide the exact name and email address or phone number you used to pre-register, and your date of birth. 

Everyone who pre-registered by April 5 as part of Phase 2, which is any resident ages 16 and up who is not eligible in Phase 1, has been contacted for an appointment. 

Anyone who does not have email or internet access should contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 703.746.4988.

AHD works with a network of local vaccinating partners such as pharmacies, medical practices, clinics, and other organizations. Appointments booked through these partners use AHD’s pre-registration list and may be sent through the provider’s scheduling tool. If you have questions about the legitimacy of an appointment invitation, contact the Alexandria COVID-19 Hotline weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 703.746.4988. Vaccines are provided by appointment only; walk-ups will be turned away. Local vaccinating partners include, but are not limited to:

• Red Sea Home Care Agency
• Privia Health Glob'all Primary Care
• Van Dorn Pharmacy
• Sameday Health / Sameday Testing (DBA Quickmed)
• CN Internal Medicine

Vaccine Prioritization

AHD currently has enough vaccine supply to offer appointments to pre-registered individuals without further prioritization. However, if vaccine supply becomes limited at any point in time, state and local health departments will prioritize vaccination to ensure residents with the greatest risk are cared for first. If supply is limited, AHD and its partners will give priority access to more vulnerable community members. Factors that are known to make someone more likely to have severe illness, more at risk of contracting COVID-19, or less likely to receive equitable care are used to determine vulnerability. Prioritization factors include:

• Age (older residents will be vaccinated sooner)
• Race and ethnicity (Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islanders residents will receive priority)
• Burden of disease (infection, hospitalization, and death rates) in the area where a person lives
• Social Vulnerability Index Score of the area where a person lives 
• Level of work-based exposure

Why Should I Get the Vaccine?

Because it's effective. Because it's safe. Because it's free. Because ending the pandemic depends on most of us getting vaccinated. LEARN MORE  

Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe?

Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective ways to save lives, protect your loved ones, and help everyone return to normal. LEARN MORE

How Can I Receive More Information?

This website will continue to be updated as more information about COVID-19 vaccines becomes available. Sign up for the City’s eNews, and visit the VDH website and CDC website for more information.

Have a specific question about COVID-19 and the vaccines? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.