Vaccinations expand, but not supply

Yesterday, the public health offices serving the coalfield region were to begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to people 65 and older, but vaccine supply “continues to be very limited,” according to a press release.

Virginia will continue getting about 100,000 doses per week from the federal government “for the foreseeable future, likely through the end of February,” the release stated. Allocations will be based on population. The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO health districts have a combined 2 percent of Virginia’s population, so each will receive 1 percent of available doses.

The available doses will not include second doses at this time, the release noted.

Because of decreased supply, certain Phase 1b priority groups, including manufacturing, will be delayed in getting vaccinated.

For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/cumberland-plateau/ or www.vdh.virginia.gov/lenowisco/.