2-Day COVID Vaccination Event Filled Up In Hours

ROANOKE — Registration for a two-day mass COVID-19 vaccination event in Roanoke for the weekend filled up in hours. 

Carilion Clinic and the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts will host a two-day COVID-19 vaccination event for 4,000 Roanoke Valley residents 65 and older.

The event will be held at the Berglund Center on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“We are thrilled to co-host the first of several community vaccine clinics in the Roanoke Valley with our health district partners,” said Chad Alvarez, Pharm, senior director of Carilion’s Retail Pharmacy and leader of the organization’s vaccination efforts. “It’s been heartening to see such a high level of community interest in this vaccine. While space in this first clinic will be limited, we are working diligently to offer future opportunities as vaccine supplies become more readily available.”

Organizers aim to vaccinate 200 individuals per hour using the Pfizer vaccine All participants will also be scheduled for their second dose while at the event. 

Organizers plan to add future vaccine clinics as vaccine supplies become available.  

“This event is an exciting next step that underscores the value of collaboration in public health,” said Cynthia Morrow, health director for the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we work to rollout the COVID-19 vaccine as safely and efficiently as possible.”