The COVID-19 Vaccine is Coming Soon!

As you have seen, we are expecting to get the first round of Pfizer vaccine shipments allotted from the state's supply in the coming days. Official authorization from the FDA should be announced soon.

The CDC and VDH determine prioritization of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the first groups who will be able to receive it will be frontline health care employees and long-term care residents. We anticipate beginning to vaccinate employees as soon as next week; at this point, the vaccine will be optional, but we strongly encourage all providers and staff to receive the vaccine, to help protect yourselves, our patients and our community as we continue to combat the virus.

If you are eligible for the first wave of vaccinations, you will be notified by leadership about how distribution will work in your area and how to sign up. Employee Health will be giving the vaccines to those who choose to take part.

It will be important that we all continue to take necessary precautions—wear a mask, wash your hands and social distance—even if you are vaccinated. While the vaccine will protect you from getting sick, its impact on transmission is still unknown. Current PPE guidelines will remain in place for the foreseeable future. 

We'll continue to update information on the vaccine as it becomes available and as we finalize plans for the first wave for employees.

If you have a question that is not answered in the FAQs, reach out to the HR Service Center at 800-599-2537 or hrservicecenter@carilionclinic.org.