Currently eligible to register for the COVID-19 vaccine, as of Monday, Feb. 1:
- Childcare workers (*new as of Jan. 29; will be contacted with information)
- in-person teachers and staff at DCPS and Public Charter Schools,
- DC residents 65 years or better
- workers in health care setting, firs reponders
- residents in congregate settings
- unhoused District residents
- first responders (Fire EMS, MPD)
- DC Health began on-site vaccinations at two DC Housing Authority senior properties as part of the senior vaccination initiative the week of Jan. 25
- In the initial stages of rollout as of Jan. 29, according to DC Health, are vaccinations for Department of Corrections employees and residents.
As of Thursday, Jan. 21, 62,200 vaccines had been delivered in the District. Residents have expressed frustration at the speed at which appointments disappear, but the Bowser administration said the number of available appointments is limited by the number of vaccines received by DC Health.
“The numbers make it clear that we’re getting the doses out,” Bowser said. “We simply don’t have the amount of vaccines to meet the demand in our city.”
Bowser emphasized that the phases of the vaccine are being administered in phases based on the prevention of morbidity and mortality as well as the preservation of societal functions.
You can see the full DC COVID-19 Vaccine plan here.
On Tuesday, the Hill Rag asked the Mayor why DC didn’t create central registry and then use it to notify individuals of appointment times, as was done in states like New Jersey. Bowser said that given limited number of doses available, some mechanism would have to be devised to select individuals from that pool. “It would still be a sort of lottery,” she said.
Starting Jan. 25, in-person staff at DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Charter Schools will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Going forward, appointments will be released every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. to eligible residents in priority zip codes, and additional appointments will be released every Friday at 9:00 a.m. for all DC zip codes.
District seniors (65 years and older) and healthcare workers can continue to register for vaccination appointments using the vaccinate.dc.gov portal or by calling the District’s coronavirus call center at 855-363-0333. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Additionally, residents can get connected to the call center by dialing 311. Demand for the vaccine is high, and longer than usual waits are anticipated through the Call Center.
Seniors who schedule an appointment through the portal or hotline will receive a confirmation code that should be brought to their appointment along with verification of eligibility (e.g. a photo ID). The call center will have translation services available for residents who do not speak English.
Some District hospitals have started outreach. DC residents can visit the website for a hospital where they have been a patient within the last two years for instructions on how to register for an available appointment. Like the District’s COVID-19 vaccination scheduling portal, hospital appointments are limited.
Schedule a Hospital Appointment
- Howard University Hospital
- MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center
- The George Washington University Hospital
- Sibley Memorial Hospital
- United Medical Center
- Kaiser Permanente members should visit kp.org/DCvaccine for the latest information on COVID vaccines.
When going to get the vaccine, it is recommended that individuals wear a loose-fitting shirt that allows medical staff to get to their upper arm. At the first appointment, individuals will receive a vaccination card or printout that says which COVID-19 vaccine they received, the date they received it, where they received it, and when they should return to that same location for their second shot. After receiving the vaccine, individuals should be prepared to stay for 15 to 30 minutes after for observation.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free. When receiving the vaccine, residents will be asked to provide their health insurance information, but no one will be charged a co-pay. Those who do not have health insurance will still receive the vaccine at no cost.
Any individual who previously tried to get an appointment but did not receive a confirmation code will need to re-register. Those who submit their email address or mobile phone number through vaccinate.dc.gov will receive an email or text message when the registry opens to additional populations.
Learn more at coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc
