Alexandria could have the COVID-19 vaccine this month, but the first doses won’t be available to the general public until next spring.
Nearly a half million healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents across Virginia at risk of being infected will get the first doses from the Virginia Department of Health, and it is not yet known when the rest of the public will get the vaccine.
“We know that, initially, there will be very limited supplies and the federal government will be advising and even requiring us to vaccinate certain persons first,” Dr. Stephen Haering, director of the Alexandria Health Department, told City Council last month.
Vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are currently undergoing Food and Drug Administration approval. Once approved, it is estimated that 480,000 doses will be distributed across Virginia.
Haering said that essential workers, like first responders and government employees would be next to get the vaccine, followed by the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. He estimates that the AHD will vaccinate up to 35% of the city’s population.
The vaccine will free and eventually available at grocery stores, as well as chain and independent pharmacies, according to the VDH COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.
“One of the things we’re doing is focusing a lot of our resources on vaccine PODs (Points Of Dispensing),” Haering said. “We’re anticipating that pharmacies will be vaccinating the long-term care facilities, but we’re planning on doing that if for some reason that falls through.”
Mayor Justin Wilson said the city needs to be clear on a timeline for who will get vaccinated.
“I imagine we are going to need to communicate extremely clearly with the public as it relates to vaccination prioritizations, particularly early on when the supply is limited,” Wilson said.
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.