December 4, 2020

Coronavirus Update: The District's Vaccine Distribution Plan

Dear Neighbors,

This past week has seen some major developments in local vaccine
distribution planning, and this letter will focus on what we know about the
District's Vaccination Plan. Initial vaccine doses will be distributed to
the states, territories, and certain cities based on population. The
District of Columbia will receive around 6,800 doses in the first batch of
vaccines provided by the federal government, and we expect to receive the
first doses by mid-December. New shipments of vaccines will likely occur on
a weekly basis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has required all
states and territories to turn in an interim plan for coronavirus vaccine
distribution. These plans are living documents and will likely change over
time, but they provide a detailed analysis of the considerations and
general plans underway by public health agencies. DC Health's current draft
plan is available in its entirety here: [1]COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. Here
are some highlights:
* The first group (1a) to be vaccinated in Phase 1 is the District's
roughly 85,000 healthcare workers (broadly defined as anyone working in a
healthcare facility, EMS personnel, and home-health aides)
* DC Health has created subgroups within the first group of healthcare
workers, starting with emergency care personnel as the first tier, to those
working in ICU/respiratory care, and those with most contact with
coronavirus patients
* The second group (1b) to receive vaccines during Phase 1 will be other
essential workers, including teachers, law enforcement, etc.
* Residents experiencing homelessness, nursing home residents, teachers,
those 65 years and older, and childcare workers are also included in the 1b
distribution group
* To see the full chart of priority groups and subgroups, please see page
26 of the [2]District's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

Based on the priority groups, DC Health has noted that the general public
should expect to be vaccinated in the March to April time frame. The agency
has also reported to the Council that the District has sufficient local
cold storage capacity to safely store vaccine doses and that the Mayor and
DC Health are [3]strongly advocating for the District to receive additional
doses.

As the vaccine is prepared for distribution, one additional aspect that
everyone should be prepared for is that some of us in the vaccine trial did
experience some unpleasant temporary side effects, such as fatigue, body
aches and pains, and headache. It cannot be emphasized enough that these
were temporary, and [4]in my case the reaction lasted around 36 hours.
Physicians have noted that these effects are [5]evidence of one's immune
system at work, and it should absolutely not deter anyone from receiving
the initial vaccine or the follow up dose. Moreover, many who received the
vaccine experienced only minimal effects, such as redness or soreness at
the injection site.

This week alone, twelve District resident residents have died from the
coronavirus. To date, the District has lost 693 of our neighbors, friends,
and loved ones to this virus. And, as with the rest of the country, our
local case data continues to rise. We must not give in to pandemic fatigue.
Please stay safe, maintain social distance, and always wear a mask when
outside of your home (and even inside your home if a family member has been
exposed to the virus). These simple measures help keep you and others safe,
and may save lives as we work toward widespread vaccine distribution.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [6]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [7]marycheh.com

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

[8]Facebook [9]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

References

1. [link removed] Vaccination Plan 11.27.pdf
2. [link removed] Vaccination Plan 11.27.pdf
3. [link removed]
4. [link removed]
5. [link removed]
6. [link removed]
7. [link removed]
8. [link removed]
9. [link removed]
Unsubscribe:
[link removed]

This message was sent to [email protected] from [email protected]

Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

iContact - Try it for FREE: [link removed]