January 21, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

We are leading the state in vaccinations and we are proud to be in Phase 1b which includes health care workers, adults over 65, and people ages 16-64 who are at a high risk for COVID-19. This population alone comprises over 168,000 Fairfax County residents. This number however does not even include those getting vaccinated in our partnership with Inova to vaccinate teachers and emergency responders. As of Tuesday night, we had administered 25,989 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and as of yesterday, have over 115,000 people on our waitlist. (You too can register here.)

In addition, I am happy to report that we have also begun outreach to folks for their second vaccine dose. We have sent 8,000 emails and as of yesterday, have filled 60% of our available appointments.

As I mentioned last week, there is significant demand for the COVID-19 vaccine which is great to hear. We have invested significant resources into the vaccination process and we are ready to administer it to residents quickly and effectively. The problem however remains that we do not receive sufficient doses from the state. Demand is far outpacing supply.

That said, I have sent a letter to Governor Northam reminding him of such. While there is a limit to vaccine availability nationwide, our capacity to deliver vaccine to our residents shouldn't be so limited by our allocation from the state.

Nonetheless, we will vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated. This our priority. In the meantime, please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home as much as possible, and get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

See below for the full January 21 edition of my newsletter. For COVID-19 resources mentioned in past newsletters, visit my website. If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here.
Vaccinations in Fairfax FAQs
How long will it take for me to get a vaccine appointment scheduled if I completed the online form?

  • As mentioned, as of Jan. 19, there are approximately 115,000 people who have registered to get a vaccine appointment.
  • Vaccine supply remains very limited so we ask for your patience as it will take time for people near the end of this waitlist to get an appointment time. 
  • There are also plans to increase options for vaccine through pharmacies and health care provider offices over time. 
  • Read more about what you should know if you have already registered.

I got a message from the County that my appointment has been canceled because there is not enough vaccine. Is this true and when can I get vaccinated?

  • Fairfax County has not sent out any cancellation notices to people who have scheduled appointments. If you registered to get vaccinated and have an appointment scheduled to receive your first dose, please keep your appointment.
  • A communication went out on Jan. 15 to everyone who registered for the vaccine indicating that due to limited vaccine availability, it may take some time to get an appointment and to please be patient. This message was intended for those people who DID NOT have an appointment scheduled.

I registered, but did not receive a confirmation email, text or voicemail. How do I know if my registration went through?

  • Those who registered for vaccine before Jan. 18 should have received an email notification to confirm registration.
  • If you have not seen it, please check your spam folder.
  • If you registered on Jan. 18 or later, you will receive confirmation based on the contact information you provide on the questionnaire.
  • The Health Department will later use your contact information to schedule your appointment when more vaccine becomes available.
  • If you do not receive any communication within 24 hours of filling out the questionnaire, you will soon be able to contact our call center to confirm you are registered and confirm your contact information.

Do I need to get my second dose exactly 28 days after the first dose?

  • The recommended interval between Moderna vaccine doses is 28 days and between the Pfizer vaccine doses is 21 days. The same vaccine must be given for both.
  • This is recommended, but if required, longer intervals are acceptable and second doses given within 4 days before the recommended interval also are considered valid, but not preferred.
  • If you received your first dose from the Fairfax County Health Department, you will receive an email invitation with a link to schedule your second dose during an appropriate window based on the date you received your first dose. You can expect this notification at least 4 to 7 days before the dose is due.
  • You do not need to contact the Health Department to schedule your second dose and you do not need to complete the registration form again.

I got a message from the County about vaccine supply while I’m on the waitlist and it included a link that said “click here to confirm receipt of this text/email.” If I didn’t click that, did I lose my place in line? Do I need to re-register?

  • If you did not click that link or if you clicked it later and got an error message, that is ok and you don’t need to do anything else.
  • You are still registered in our system and on the waitlist in the same order in which you were originally entered.
  • That confirmation system is optional.

I filled out a “When Can I Get Vaccinated” form on the VDH website? Does this mean I’m registered in the Fairfax County system to get an appointment?

  • No, you still need to register to get an appointment with Fairfax County by completing our online form. The form available on the Virginia Department of Health’s website allows residents to see which phase people fall in to.
  • The information provided in this form will be used to determine COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and to plan vaccine administration.

Vaccine Resources:
Boards, Authorities and Commissions
  • We are looking to appoint residents to positions on two BACS, which serve as advisory bodies to the Board of Supervisors.
  • Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
  • Purpose: To oversee the operation of services relating to mental health, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse.
  • Read more here.
  • Police Civilian Review Panel
  • Purpose: To build and maintain public trust and transparency among the police department, the community, and the Board of Supervisors.
  • Read more here.
  • To apply: Submit your resume and magisterial district via email to chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov. Please include the name of the BAC in the subject line of the email.
Housing
  • If you are facing eviction or having trouble paying your rent, here is a list of resources available at this time.
  • Today, the Department of Treasury approved our application for additional funds to support our Emergency Rental Assistance Program. We will soon be receiving a grant totaling $34.5 million. More on this to come soon.
  • If you are in need of rental assistance, call our Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880.
Health
Common Health Questions:

  • People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. You might experience:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Continue to follow the health guidelines:
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if that isn't an option (especially when in public places)
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distance
  • What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
  • The CDC recommends wearing non-medical masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is now required in Virginia.
  • The New York Times (access to COVID-19 content is free) speaks with infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists, and microbiologists to find out if COVID-19 can land on your clothing, hair, shoes, and mail.

Resources:

  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • Fairfax County's data dashboard is here and the Virginia Department of Health's is here.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9am-7pm weekdays and 9:30am-5pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
We recognize that we are in very trying times, but I hope you see in these newsletters that positive change has occurred over the last several months.

As I often say, we are truly lucky to live in Fairfax County where we have the resources to overcome challenges and a community who rises to the occasion.

Jeffrey C. McKay
Contact the Office

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov | 703.324.2321 |