COVID-19 Strategic Action Framework: Fall/Winter 2021 Vaccination
Page updated on June 24, 2024 at 2:19 PM
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Mission
Save lives and improve quality of life in Alexandria
This document is congruent with Alexandria Health Department’s (AHD) Strategic Action Framework and is one of a series of frameworks outlining AHD’s COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Objectives
- Administer vaccine efficiently and safely to all eligible Alexandrians and essential workers.
- Prevent deaths, hospitalizations, and infections due to COVID-19.
- Mitigate the long-term social, economic, and health burden of COVID-19 in the community.
- Provide vaccines through Alexandria Health Department’s (AHD’s) public health justice principles.
Key Context
- This is a living document and changes will be made based on updates in public health’s understanding of COVID-19, updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) guidance, and AHD resources and prioritizations.
- Individuals 12 years of age and older continue to seek initial vaccine doses.
- Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals are currently authorized for a 3rd dose of mRNA vaccine.
- Authorization for mRNA vaccine booster shots for adults is expected within the next few weeks.
- Authorization for COVID-19 vaccine for patients ages 5-11 is expected within the next few months.
- Information about second doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be forthcoming
Strategy/Tactics
Coordinate with vaccination partners to ensure vaccine is widely accessible for all populations .
- Analyze the availability of vaccines through private infrastructure (pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals) and adjust the scope of health department distribution of vaccines accordingly to meet demand.
- Identify and promote entities offering both COVID-19 vaccines and flu or childhood vaccines on the same day.
- Predict the maximum expected demand for booster shots by week based on the interval after second mRNA dose and adjust capacity accordingly.
- Coordinate with vaccination partners to ensure a wide geographic distribution of vaccine availability.
- Develop tools and resources for the public to easily find a vaccine that works for their location and schedule.
- Monitor vaccination data by demographics and geography to determine any gaps which need to be addressed.
- Maintain mutual awareness of activities of other National Capitol Region jurisdictions.
Employ Point of Distribution (POD) plans to administer vaccines through large scale events .
- Use easily accessible locations, including those by public transit.
- Utilize large signage options to direct people to events.
- Avoid unnecessarily long lines by using a combination of appointments and walk-ins with details available online at the alexandriava.gov/Vaccines page and through the AHD COVID-19 Hotline at 703.746.4988.
- Scale up staffing through hiring with FEMA funding, deploying Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, reassigning AHD staff, and utilizing city employees and CERT volunteers.
- Address language access needs through translated information and registration materials at the PODs, as well as interpretation services including ASL.
- Select AHD POD locations with ADA-compliant entrances and processes to accommodate Alexandrians equitably.
- Operate smaller PODs throughout the community as needed to reach individuals who may have barriers to accessing vaccines through other channels.
- Continue implementing best practices for infection prevention during AHD PODs.
Support moderately and severely immunocompromised residents with third dose information and vaccinations
- Promote third doses through specific groups serving immunocompromised individuals, including medical practices, home care, and faith-based organizations.
- Clearly communicate the timing differences in doses for the immunocompromised versus general population.
- Monitor ongoing recommendations and guidance regarding additional doses.
Empower the public to receive booster doses
- Communicate the availability of booster doses through essential worker employers.
- Advise vaccine providers to send out notices of eligibility for booster doses based on when 2nd doses were given.
- Inform people how to access their vaccine record in advance so they can calculate when they are due for a booster dose.
- Encourage individuals to bring their vaccine record with them to their booster dose appointment.
- Work with special settings such as long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, group homes, and senior housing to create a booster dose plan for their residents.
Operationalize a plan specific to the pediatric population
- Satisfy the majority of the demand for pediatric vaccinations through large AHD PODs and private pediatric provider clinics.
- Explore options to administer pediatric vaccinations at schools during school hours for children who are not accessing vaccine through other channels.
- Acquire the necessary materials for pediatric PODs including supplies like smaller needles and pediatric bandaids.
- Provide a child friendly environment at PODs including distractions such as bubbles and stickers.
- Utilize communication networks of schools and kid-focused community partners to disseminate relevant information.
Implement a multi-channel, multilingual vaccine communications and outreach plan
- Develop and distribute timely information to partners and the public regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and AHD’s distribution plans.
- Ensure all materials and information are available in multiple languages and in an accessible, approachable tone.
- Implement proactive media relations and a paid social media campaign including print, broadcast, social, and web based media platforms.
- Ensure AHD staff are available to answer vaccine questions and appointment inquiries in a timely manner.
- Use a targeted approach to communicate with historically marginalized and excluded populations.
- Coordinate with community partners to deliver information through trusted messengers and in the field.
- Conduct outreach through tabling at events and door-knocking campaigns which engage the public in conversations to provide information and address