Virginia To Receive Less Vaccine Than Initially Expected

RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) was informed late Thursday by Operation Warp Speed that, like other states, Virginia’s estimated allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses will be less than initially planned for the next few weeks. 
Virginia is now planning to receive 370,650 doses of vaccine in December 2020 from two manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna. This is down from the previously expected 480,000 doses. 
Virginia’s health care personnel (HCP) and long-term care facility (LTCF) residents remain top priority groups.  
Eighteen Virginia hospitals received initial shipments of the Pfizer vaccine this week, and they began dispersing a total of 72,125 doses to frontline health care workers. 
Virginia has already placed an order for 146,400 doses of the Moderna vaccine, which if approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), will begin arriving the week of December 21.
An influential Food & Drug Administration Advisory Panel backed the Moderna Coronarvirus vaccine Thursday. It was seen as a key step to paving the way toward distribution of a second Coronavirus vaccine in the U.S. next week. 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Operation Warp Speed provide regular estimates to states for vaccine distribution planning; these estimates remain subject to change. 
VDH is working closely with the CDC to ensure a smooth and equitable vaccine deployment.
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Pharmacist Viola Plum, left, was the first LewisGale Hospital Alleghany health care worker to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday. Front-line LewisGale health care heroes started receiving the much-anticipated inoculation Thursday as they continue to treat the sickest patients every day. (Photo Courtesy LewisGale)