Coronavirus Update: Today's Vaccination Alert

Dear Neighbors,

Many residents have written to me about an "alert" they received from the Department of Health that, on Saturday, a new vaccine registration opportunity would become available exclusively to those residents living within Wards 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. No prior notice was provided to residents or to me. The alert inadequately explained the rationale for this decision. In fact, the alert made it appear that the reason was simply due to the number of appointments secured by these Wards as compared to those secured by Wards 2, 3, and 6. But there is a deeper, more important justification that makes the decision much more understandable (or even reasonable). 

To date, Ward 3 has experienced 1,796 positive coronavirus cases and lost 42 of our neighbors to this virus. Contrast that to our neighbors in Wards 4 and 5 who have experienced 5,477 and 5,046 cases, respectively. Or Ward 8, who has experienced 4,629 cases and lost 162 residents during the pandemic, yet secured only 94 vaccination appointments. When looking at the data and the population differences in terms of incidence and death rates, co-morbidity, and access to healthcare, the disparate health effects of the pandemic become starkly clear. Of the 6,756 vaccination appointments made available to senior residents this past Monday, Ward 3 residents were able to secure 2,465 of them, or about 40%.

Here is what I would like residents to consider:

Exposure threat, high risk factors, and equity should be taken into account in our vaccine distribution plan. And, because the news released today was not carefully explained or contextualized, it has angered and alarmed many people. It is deeply frustrating that the Council was not briefed on this decision before the alert, and many vulnerable seniors and those with co-morbidities are afraid that their zip code will dictate whether they are able to receive a vaccine or not. To this point, it is unacceptable that the alert omitted the caveat that 1,400 additional appointments will be released on Monday to ALL senior residents.

What should be emphasized right now is the fact that the District receives new vaccine shipments every week. And as we receive new vaccines, so too will more appointments become available. Rightly placed fear and the extreme disruption of coronavirus has lead many to feel that they will only have a few select opportunities to receive a vaccine, but that is actually not the case. Eventually, everyone for whom it is medically safe to receive a vaccine, will get one. And our anxiety to get one right away should not cloud the pursuit of equitable vaccine distribution. On Saturday, residents in five wards will have exclusive access to vaccination appointments. But just two days later, all District residents will have access to additional appointments. And the week after that, even more appointments and vaccines will become available (and so on).

I wish the news in tonight's announcement was fully conveyed, and it has been deeply disappointing that DC Health gave no advance notice to me or to you. This was very poorly presented and the notification to residents was unnecessarily confusing. But now, knowing the situation, I believe that our residents will appreciate the reasoning for this one time opportunity for more vulnerable residents to have access to the vaccine. And on Monday, again, ALL senior residents will be eligible to register for an appointment.

Regards,

Mary