Editor’s note: This story was last updated on May 19. Now that shots are widely available in the D.C. region, the best resource for finding a vaccine is vaccinefinder.org, a tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you are confused, have questions, or want to tell us more about your vaccine experience, please reach out to us directly: mbarthel@wamu.org.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is in full swing around the D.C. region. The District, Maryland and Virginia have opened up vaccine appointments to all residents 16 years and older, and are now in the process of offering shots to children aged 12 and up. The jurisdictions have come a long way from the chaos of the early rollout — and the overburdened waitlists, glitchy web portals, and canceled appointments that came with it. But the region is still struggling to get vaccines to communities of color and low income people who need it the most. And the process of securing a shot can still be confusing for anyone.

Need help navigating what some experts call the biggest mass vaccination campaign in history? Here’s a look at where to go and who to call for help in the region.

D.C.

Maryland

Virginia

D.C.

Who is eligible to get a shot?

D.C. made all residents 16 and up eligible for vaccination appointments starting on April 12. Starting May 13, kids 12 years and older can also get the Pfizer vaccine at local public health sites, pharmacies, and some hospitals including Children’s National.

If you have general questions or even concerns about the coronavirus vaccine, D.C. has information here about who should get vaccinated, how the different individual vaccines work, and why they’re considered safe.

How do I get an appointment on my own?

There are a number of avenues to explore if you’re eligible for a vaccine. The District runs a number of vaccination sites, including some large, high capacity ones. Hospitals and some local pharmacies (including Walgreens) are also  making appointments, so it’s a good idea to check multiple places if you’re looking for a shot. A number of city-run clinics are also offering a handful of walk-up appointments each day (see below for more).

DC Health is transitioning to a primarily walk-up vaccination clinic model, after months of using an online system to pre-register people. Starting Saturday, May 1, 11 vaccination sites will give shots to anyone 16 years and older who just shows up — no appointment necessary. Officials said the District is able to make the change because its vaccine supply and demand are finally in “equilibrium,” after months of mismatch between exploding demand and limited supply. Previously, DC Health offered limited walk-up availability at vaccination sites for seniors.

The federal government has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children 12 years and older. If you are looking for a vaccine appointment for a child, make sure you are going to a vaccine site that is dispensing the Pfizer vaccine, not the Johnson and Johnson or Moderna shots, which are only approved for adults.

The District-run walk-up sites will be available for first doses. Staff at the locations will schedule people’s second shots during the first visit. Here are the walk-up sites:

• Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW
• Fort Stanton Recreation Center, 1812 Erie St. SE
• Kenilworth Recreation Center, 4321 Ord St. NE
• Lamond Recreation Center, 20 Tuckerman St. NE
• Langdon Park Community Center, 2901 20th St. NE
• Providence Health System, 1150 Varnum St. NE
• Rosedale Recreation Center, 1701 Gales St. NE
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave. NE
• University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW
• Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl. NW
• (May 1 only) Entertainment and Sports Arena, 1100 Oak St. SE
• (After May 1) RISE Demonstration Center, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE

The District is directing people to check the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention tool at vaccinefinder.org for the operating hours at different sites run by the District as well as other providers. Residents who want to schedule an appointment there should also be able to find one at the site, if they’re not comfortable with walking up. There is no need to bring an insurance card or identification to get vaccinated. The vaccine is free for everyone, though people who do have insurance can use it.

People who had previously pre-registered on the DC Health online portal will receive a prompt to schedule an appointment by Wednesday, when the pre-registration system will officially shut down.

Teenagers who are 16 or 17 years old can get vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine at Children’s National Hospital, local pharmacies, Medstar Georgetown Hospital, or at the following walk-up sites: Arena Stage, Fort Stanton Recreation Center, Lamond Recreation Center, Langdon Park Community Center, Rosedale Recreation Center, and RISE Demonstration Center. Dates and times that vaccines will be available to young people at these locations are posted here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened a mass vaccination site at the Greenbelt Metro station in Maryland. D.C. residents can book appointments or walk-up to the site, which is now giving out one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines, in preparation for winding down its operations.

The VA Medical Center has some doses available. Veterans can call 202-745-8000 to inquire about appointments.

What if I’m a hospital or health center patient?

People who are eligible for a vaccine and who have received care at one of a number of local hospitals and health centers can try registering for a shot directly through that care provider.

That means people who have been given care in an outpatient clinic within the last two years at Howard University Hospital, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, The George Washington University Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital, and United Medical Center can follow this route. Likewise, patients at Mary’s Center, Community of Hope, Unity (Upper Cardozo), Unity (Brentwood), Bread for the City, La Clinica del Pueblo, Elaine Ellis, and Providence Health System can also try to secure a vaccine appointment through those providers.

You can find the list of providers that this applies to, and how to contact them, here.

Help! This is all bewildering. Where can I get assistance in D.C.? 

People with questions or concerns about getting vaccinated can visit vaccinate.dc.gov or call the D.C. COVID call center is at 855-363-0333, weekdays 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

A number of grassroots efforts popped up earlier in the vaccine rollout to help connect seniors with volunteers who could help them navigate the vaccine rollout.

• The Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington has partnered with George Washington University Hillel to pair up people who need help securing a vaccine with college students who can help navigate the online process. Fill out the form for yourself or a loved one here.
• The District of Columbia Vaccine Hunters Facebook group is trying to help answer people’s questions about the vaccine process and pair people who need support booking a vaccine appointment with volunteers. Find out more here.
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a volunteer group in Mount Pleasant, is matching seniors struggling to navigate the vaccine process with people who can help with phone or online appointment scheduling. D.C. residents 65 and older can call 202-573-7548 or email info@anc-volunteering.org to request assistance.
• If you live in Ward 4, East Rock Creek Village has organized a group of volunteers to help seniors with the vaccination process. Email info@eastrockcreekvillage.org or call 202-656-7322 any day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to get assistance. As the group writes in a recent newsletter: “Our services include: Going online to schedule a vaccine appointment for you through DCHealth, online scheduling of 2nd shot appointments for those whose first shot was at a Safeway pharmacy or Senior Wellness Center (Hattie Holmes, Model Cities or Washington), free rides to vaccination appointments, printing of confirmation emails or other forms and delivering to you, and lots of support and encouragement.”
• If you don’t live in Ward 4, there are other villages — membership organizations that connect older adults with neighborhood volunteers who can provide support to help them age in place — across the District. While villages may choose to prioritize their older adult members in helping them get vaccine appointments, some may also have capacity to help older adults in the area who aren’t currently paying members. You can find the list of Washington area villages and their websites here.

Maryland

Who is eligible to get a shot?

Marylanders 16 years of age and older have been eligible to book appointments for shots at county- and state-run sites, hospitals, pharmacies and other health providers since mid-April. Many locations now have walk-up availability as well.

On May 13, Maryland opened up vaccine eligibility to children ages 12-15, who may receive the Pfizer vaccine at state mass vaccination sites, other health clinics, hospitals and pharmacies.

How do I get an appointment if I’m an essential worker? 

As in D.C., if your job qualifies you for the vaccine, your vaccination process may happen through your employer, or your employer may share documentation indicating your essential worker status. It’s a good idea to check in with your work first. That should hold true even if you work in Maryland but live in D.C. or Virginia.

How do I get an appointment on my own?

The best place to start in your vaccine search is with Maryland’s vaccine locator tool, which can map the providers giving out shots near you. Mass vaccination sites have fairly wide availability for booking appointments, and they are now taking walk-ups (no appointment necessary).

You can also check for appointments with your local health department, which is receiving vaccine doses from the state. In most cases, you’ll be able to make an appointment for your first dose through the county, and then you’ll be prompted to schedule time for your second shot later. You should also check for appointments at local pharmacies and hospitals.

• Montgomery County has information about scheduling vaccine appointments at local sites and state sites within the county here. If you need help with making an appointment, you can call 240-777-2982 or email c19vaccination@montgomerycountymd.gov. The county also has a number of frequently asked questions listed here.
• Prince George’s County has information about local vaccine clinics here. You can get help from the health department’s call center by dialing 311 and pushing the # key, or by emailing COVIDVax@co.pg.md.us.
• Anne Arundel County is also open for vaccinations at health department-run clinics. You can also call 410-222-7256 TTY: 7-1-1 for help. In addition to the county department of health, you can also pre-register or look for vaccine appointments with the list of vaccine providers that are giving out the vaccine in the county.
• Frederick County is also accepting new vaccine appointments. The county also has an appointment call line available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. English speakers should call 301-600-7900 and Spanish speakers should call 301-600-7905.
• Howard County is making appointments for first dose vaccines, here. The county is directing residents to call 410-313-6284 for assistance completing the Howard County Health Department pre-registration survey, or the state hotline 855-MD-GoVAX (855-634-6829) for general help.

The federal government has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children 12 years and older. If you are looking for a vaccine appointment for a child, make sure you are going to a vaccine site that is dispensing the Pfizer vaccine, not the Johnson and Johnson or Moderna shots, which are only approved for adults.

Where can I get help navigating the vaccine process in Maryland?

If your quest for a vaccine hasn’t been successful yet, you’re not alone. This is a sprawling, often confusing process.

If you have general questions or even concerns about the coronavirus vaccine, Maryland has information here about who should get vaccinated, how the different individual vaccines work, and why they’re considered safe.

If you’ve tried combing through your county’s website and called the county help lines, and you still haven’t gotten the answers you’re looking for, there may be a Maryland volunteer group that can help you navigate the vaccine pre-registration and appointment booking process.

• The Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington has partnered with George Washington University Hillel to pair up people who need help securing a vaccine with college students who can help navigate the online process. Fill out the form for yourself or a 65+ loved one here.
• The Vaccine Hunters, a group of Montgomery County teachers, has an extensive spreadsheet that breaks down where to look for a vaccine appointment. You can also find them on their Facebook page or at vaccinehunters@gmail.com. They are able to help people in English and in Spanish.
• There are villages — organizations that connect older adults with neighborhood volunteers who can provide support to help them age in place — across the D.C. region. While villages may choose to prioritize their older adult members in helping them get vaccine appointments, some may also have capacity to help older adults in the area who aren’t currently members. You can find the list of Washington area villages and their websites here.

Virginia

Who is eligible to get a shot? 

Virginia expanded vaccine eligibility to all people 16 and older on April 18. In vaccination phase terms, that’s Phase 2.

Following the federal government’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12-15, Virginia’s state-run Community Vaccination Clinics — including the Tysons Corner location in Fairfax County and the Gander Mountain clinic in Prince William County — will begin vaccinating children in that age range. Appointments for children may also be available at local pharmacies, hospitals, and other health clinics that are giving out the Pfizer vaccine.

How do I get an appointment if I’m an essential worker? 

If you are an essential worker employed in Virginia but living in D.C. or Maryland, you may be able to get a vaccine appointment in Virginia through your work, or your employer may provide documentation showing that you are an essential worker. Or you may need to go through the individual pre-registration process by yourself (see how to do so, below). Because the general public is now eligible for vaccines, showing proof of your work may not be necessary — but if you are having trouble securing an appointment, evidence that you are an essential worker may help you jump the line. See the next question for more details.

How do I get an appointment on my own?

The Virginia Department of Health says there are a number of different avenues that people in these groups may secure a vaccine: through their own healthcare provider, through their local health department, through state mass vaccination sites, or other arrangements with healthcare systems and pharmacies. Securing an appointment — or even walking up to get a shot — is becoming increasingly easier as vaccine supplies begin to catch up with high demand in Northern Virginia.

As Virginia moves into Phase 2, the state will direct the general public to look for and schedule available appointments on VaccineFinder.org, a Centers For Disease Control and Prevention website that shows users a map of available appointments pulled from public health providers, hospitals, medical practices, pharmacies, and more. This new process will replace the centralized statewide pre-registration system, which took people’s information and put them on a waitlist to eventually be invited to book appointments.

Fairfax County, which ran its own separate pre-registration system, will also direct residents to VaccineFinder.org starting on April 18. A press release from the county notes the site is “not currently available in other languages, but users can change their web browser settings to their desired language as an alternative.”

The federal government has approved the Pfizer vaccine for children 12 years and older. If you are looking for a vaccine appointment for a child, make sure you are going to a vaccine site that is dispensing the Pfizer vaccine, not the Johnson and Johnson or Moderna shots, which are only approved for adults.

People eligible under Virginia’s Phase 1 who are struggling to find an appointment through the VaccineFinder tool will be able to use the old system — vaccinate.virginia.gov or 877-VAX-IN-VA — to register for a priority appointment.

Across the region, vaccination sites are beginning to offer shots to people who walk up, with no scheduled appointment necessary. In Fairfax County, the Tysons Community Vaccination Center is now vaccinating walk-ups on a first come, first served basis. The center is open weekdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Veterans already receiving care from VA facilities in the commonwealth may receive a vaccine there.

It is possible for Virginia residents to get vaccinated in Virginia jurisdictions other than the ones they live and work in. “The preference is for people to get vaccinated in the local health district where they live or work, but there is no residency requirement,” according to an email from a state health department spokeswoman.

This is all really hard to navigate. Where can I get help? 

Keep in mind that this is a massive public health effort, and it can be confusing to navigate. So you’re not alone.

If you have general questions or even concerns about the coronavirus vaccine, Virginia has an extensive list of frequently asked questions about who should get vaccinated, how the different individual vaccines work, and why they’re considered safe.

And if that doesn’t help, there may be a local volunteer group that can help you navigate the vaccine pre-registration and appointment booking process. Here are some options.

• The Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington has partnered with George Washington University Hillel to pair up people who need help securing a vaccine with college students who can help navigate the online process. Fill out the form for yourself or a loved one here.
• There are villages — membership organizations that connect older adults with neighborhood volunteers who can provide support to help them age in place — across the D.C. region. While villages may choose to prioritize their older adult members in helping them get vaccine appointments, some may also have capacity to help older adults in the area who aren’t currently members. You can find the list of Washington area villages and their websites here.
• Seniors in Clarke County can get help by joining the Clarke County Cares Facebook group.

This post has been updated with new information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

As the vaccination rollout progresses, we want to hear from you. What are your persistent questions about getting a vaccine?  What was your experience securing (or struggling to secure) a shot like, and what resources did you find helpful along the way? Send us a message: mbarthel@wamu.org.