RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Northam updated the public in a Thursday afternoon briefing on how COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts are shaping up across Virginia.
So far, tens of thousands of vaccines have been administered to people under the first and second phases of the state's distribution plan. Some health districts have already moved to Phase 1b to vaccinate teachers, frontline workers and people ages 75 and over.
Northam said that the state would follow new federal guidance from the Trump administration that urged states to immediately start vaccinating people who had previously been lower down the priority list.
Newly included in Phase 1b of the state’s distribution plan are people age 65 and older and younger people with certain health problems that make them more vulnerable to the virus. Not all areas of the state have moved into Phase 1b yet.
Northam also stated the commonwealth is working to ramp up distribution to 25,000 doses a day with a long-term goal to reach 50,000 doses a day.
The state is receiving 110,000 doses per week and the governor is urging every vaccinator, pharmacy and hospital to get those shots to vulnerable populations as fast as possible. Every dose the state receives is sent to approximately 160 vaccination sites across the state.
Right now, state officials are working on a plan to set up fixed-site distribution centers throughout the state that would be easily accessible for residents in every locality so that vaccine doses can be administered at a faster pace. Officials also want these centers to be staffed by the National Guard and contracted vaccinators and to be open at least six days a week.
Northam called this effort a "massive undertaking" and noted that it will take months to get vaccines to every person in Virginia.
As for schools, the governor said the state might consider recommending that schools stay open year-round in order to make up for lost time in the classroom. Northam also noted that schools need to determine which students to prioritize getting back into school buildings and work with their local health departments to draw up proper mitigation procedures that will keep kids safe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.