All adults in Virginia will be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine on April 18, Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Thursday.
According to Northam’s press release, a boost in federal vaccine supply will give all local health districts in the commonwealth enough doses to expand eligibility on April 18 — days ahead of the commonwealth’s previous goal of May 1.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel—and that light is getting brighter every day as more and more Virginians get vaccinated,” Northam said in his press release.
The state has administered more than 3.8 million doses as of Thursday, reaching 30% of the state’s population with at least one dose, while 16.1% of Virginians are fully vaccinated. According to Northam’s statement, nearly every resident in a high-risk category that registered for a vaccine has received one, and those who have not will be able to do so in the next two weeks.
The commonwealth is currently in Phase 1C of its rollout, vaccinating a slew of essential workers and individuals over age 16 with pre-existing conditions. The city of Alexandria, as well as Arlington, Prince William, and Fairfax counties are still in Phase 1B, working through vaccinating older adults, adults with pre-existing conditions, and a more limited number of essential worker categories than those offered in Phase 1C.
Previously, when the state moved into Phase 1C, Northam announced that all localities would be able to expand into that phase by mid-April. Now, the governor says they will be able to move straight into vaccinating the entire adult population, thanks to the increase in supply.
Regionally, Maryland has announced it will make all adults eligible on April 16, and D.C. will follow suit on May 1.
Colleen Grablick