Friend --

Given the confusion and frustration that many had with the vaccine appointment system this morning, I wanted to send you a quick and specific update. Today was the first day that DC residents in DOH designated priority zip codes with qualifying health conditions could begin to apply for an appointment to receive the vaccine; with Friday being the day for eligibility for all zip codes. In short... it did not go well. The website did not appear to be updated, it crashed or reset for many people, and did not let some apply at all who were newly-eligible. There were similar challenges for residents who tried to use the call center.

I know this was frustrating and stressful for you. And believe me, it was frustrating for me and my team as we were in contact with a lot of neighbors who, after waiting weeks and weeks for a chance at an appointment, were now at their wits end simply trying to follow the instructions given to them. I've got some updates to share, and I want to make sure the vaccine distribution plan is clear for everyone below.

First, DC Health has apologized and says it has identified the issues and fixed them - we hope. Tomorrow (Friday, February 26) at 9 am there will be a release of 4,350 appointments for all eligible persons, regardless of what zip code you are in. This is both the website and call center.

Second, if you live in a priority zip code, you can also apply this coming Saturday, February 27, at 9 am, for an additional 3,500 appointments as DC Health tries to fix today's errors. Again, both website and call center.

As a reminder, the following groups are eligible: 

1. Health care workers who cannot work remotely. 
2. DC residents who are 65 and older. 
3. Grocery store workers, food packaging workers, manufacturing workers, and front-line social workers. 
4. DC residents who have a qualifying health condition: 
   • Asthma
   • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other Chronic Lung Disease
   • Bone Marrow and Solid Organ Transplantation
   • Cancer
   • Cerebrovascular Disease
   • Chronic Kidney Disease
   • Congenital Heart Disease
   • Diabetes Mellitus
   • Heart Conditions, such as Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, or Cardiomyopathies
   • HIV
   • Hypertension
   • Immunocompromised State
   • Inherited Metabolic Disorders
   • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
   • Liver Disease
   • Neurologic Conditions
   • Obesity, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²
   • Pregnancy
   • Severe Genetic Disorders
   • Sickle Cell Disease
   • Thalassemia

Understanding the Difference between Thursday and Friday Appointment Releases:

• For all groups who are eligible above, if you live in a DOH designated priority ZIP code, you can apply for vaccine appointments every Thursday and Friday. 
  • Prioritizing these ZIP codes is an effort to increase vaccine access in the neighborhoods that are hardest hit by the pandemic but falling behind in receiving the vaccine, likely due to a number of factors around accessibility and historic racial inequality. The Council has spoken with a strong voice on this effort to achieve greater equity, particularly racial equity, as we know health outcomes and who bears the burden of this pandemic are not equal. That said, I've also pushed on the fact that ZIP codes are too blunt a targeting tool to best reach those who most need our help -- for example, within ZIP code 20003 in Ward 6 (which is not listed as a priority area) there is tremendous disparity in COVID impacts and vaccine access. I will continue to advocate for a more refined way to target our equity efforts.
• If you do not live in a priority ZIP code (this is the case for about half of Ward 6), you can apply every Friday. 
• **Here's an important change to the process**: Moving forward, for both Thursdays and Fridays, the release time will alternate each week between 9 am and 6 pm. This week's release is 9 am.

I want to ask again, even as we work to make the website and process functional, that we all bring patience. I know the past year has been hard and scary. I know we are all ready, especially with a few warmer days, to be out of the house. The bottom line is that we still have way more people who want to be vaccinated than we have vaccines. It's improving, but it will take time regardless. Stay in touch with me, keep me and my team posted if you encounter issues, and we will get through this together. 

Stay safe,

Charles Allen