COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs

Arlington County is one of 35 health districts accountable to the Virginia Department of Health, which sets priorities for vaccine distribution across the Commonwealth while vaccine supplies are limited. There are simply not enough doses available yet for everyone who is eligible to receive them. Virginia is not likely to meet the demand for Phase 1b until the spring.

The ability to schedule appointments will depend on the supply of vaccine available. Vaccine supply in the United States is still very limited and is expected to increase gradually over the next months.

Unfortunately, it may be weeks or longer before vaccination appointments become available for those who have pre-registered.

Everyone who lives or works in Virginia should continue to pre-register by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., seven days a week.

Vaccination in the Arlington Health District

Yes, once eligible, individuals will be invited to schedule an appointment for vaccine. Currently, the County is using Eventbrite to schedule appointments.

Additional appointments may be found at out locations at vaccinefinder.org.

The Virginia Department of Health has defined the following groups under Phase 1b:

• At risk populations: persons aged 65 and older; correctional facility residents; homeless shelter residents
• Residents 16-64 years old* with medical conditions and disabilities
• Frontline Essential Sector Workers: Police, Fire, and Hazmat; Corrections and homeless shelter workers; Childcare/PreK-12 Teachers/Staff; Food and Agriculture (including veterinarians); Manufacturing; Grocery store workers; Public transit workers; Mail carriers (USPS and private); Officials needed to maintain continuity of government (including judges and public facing judicial workers); Clergy/Faith Leaders; Janitorial/Cleaning staff

*NOTE: Pfizer's vaccine has been authorized for ages 16 and up. Moderna's vaccine is currently authorized for ages 18 and up.

Anyone interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine needs to pre-register with Vaccinate Virginia. Arlington County will contact you as vaccine appointments become available for eligible groups. Note: Pre-registering does not automatically schedule you for an appointment.

If you, or someone you know, needs assistance filing out the pre-registration page, or do not have an email address, call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682).

Those who are eligible to receive the vaccine can look for a location near them using VaccineFinder.org.

View additional information at Virginia Department of Health.

We continue to add additional vaccine appointments every week. In Phase 1b, about half of available vaccines are being given to people aged 65 years and older. The other half is being given to frontline essential workers in specific industries, such as police officers, firefighters, hazmat workers, pre-kindergarten-12th grade (PreK-12) teachers and staff, childcare providers, people aged 16-64 years with an underlying health condition or disability, and people living in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and migrant labor camps.

Health care providers eligible under Phase 1a should work with their employer to get vaccinated.  For Health providers living or working in Arlington who still need a vaccination, they can pre-register.

Employed caregivers (home health aides, hospice aides, etc.) are considered health care workers, qualify for vaccination in 1a, and are encouraged to pre-register.

Residents over the age of 65 who have pre-registered with the Arlington Public Health Division and Vaccinate.Virginia.gov have  received an email invitation to schedule a vaccine. We encourage people to look in their SPAM folders for an email from arlingtonva@public.govdelivery.com. 

For residents who have pre-registered, and need assistance with scheduling an appointment, please contact 703-228-7999.

Arlington residents age 65+ who have not yet received a vaccination  should continue to  pre-register with Vaccinate Virginia if they haven’t already done so. Please note that individuals 65+ can also schedule vaccine appointments directly through the Federal Pharmacy Program.  Visit vaccinefinder.org to identify locations and appointment times. 

• Adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 (hospitalization, admission to the ICU, intubation or mechanical ventilation, or death. View the CDC’s list of conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
• Individuals with any underlying medical conditions (including those NOT on the list) should consult with their healthcare provider about their own personal risk factors associated with illness from COVID-19. Healthcare providers may use clinical judgement to determine if a patient’s medical condition or disability warrants prioritization for vaccination.
• Proof of a high-risk medical condition or disability that increases risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is not needed.

Everyone eligible for vaccination in Phase 1a or 1b who has pre-registered has either received an invitation to make an appointment or will in the next two weeks. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has indicated all local health districts, including Arlington County, will have enough vaccine to complete outreach to priority groups by the week of April 18, 2021.

Those at highest risk will continue to receive priority in the scheduling process.  We anticipate being able to send scheduling notifications to everyone pre-registered in Phase 1c by mid-April.

Assuming that the necessary supply is received on schedule, we will hopefully then be able to reach Phase 2 and open eligibility to the general public.

Please note --that eligible employees in Phase 1a, 1b, or 1c can receive a vaccine in the jurisdiction where they work.  Residents will receive a vaccine in the jurisdiction where they live.  As such, everyone who lives or works in Virginia should pre-register so they can be notified when they are eligible for vaccination and vaccine is available.

To pre-register, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). If you have already pre-registered, please ensure your information is updated and complete.

All who have pre-registered should periodically check spam/junk folders for a notification to schedule a vaccine. Emails from Arlington County's Public Health Division will come from arlingtonva@public.govdelivery.com, with the subject line "Invitation to Schedule COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment."

Anyone who is eligible for a vaccine can also use vaccinefinder.org to find COVID-19 Vaccines near them.

Eligible frontline essential workers should plan to get the vaccine in the jurisdiction where they work.  Please contact their employer directly to learn more about vaccination in the jurisdiction where you are employed.

Everyone who lives or works in Virginia should pre-register so they can be notified when they are eligible for vaccination and vaccine is available.

If family members meet the criteria under one of the eligible groups in Phase 1a or 1b, they are encouraged to pre-register independently. Otherwise, they will need to wait until the vaccine is available for the general public.

Individuals can also pre-register directly at Vaccinate Virginia.

No photo identification is not required for vaccination, but individuals will need to provide a form of identification when they arrive for their scheduled appointments. This is needed to confirm your identity (i.e. name, date of birth) so we can confirm that we are vaccinating the right person. You can not be turned away for lack of documentation.

The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States. Vaccination providers can be reimbursed for vaccine administration fees by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund. No one can be denied a vaccine if they are unable to pay a vaccine administration fee. Arlington County Public Health does not bill insurance for administrative costs.

Please note that you do NOT pay to schedule an appointment; and you will NOT be asked for payment information, social security numbers or Medicare information. Please do NOT give this information to someone who asks.

On April 1, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam announced all individuals in Virginia age 16 and older will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting on Sunday, April 18, ahead of the May 1 nationwide goal set by President Joe Biden.

What does this mean for Arlington?

Based on an influx of vaccine supply at the state level, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has allocated an increase in local supply of vaccine to complete Arlington County's aggressive vaccination schedule for the next three weeks in an effort to move to Phase 2.

VDH has indicated all local health districts, including Arlington, will have enough vaccine to complete outreach to priority groups by the week of April 18. Assuming that the necessary supply is received on schedule, we will hopefully then be able to reach Phase 2 open eligibility to the general public.

• Those at highest risk will continue to receive priority in the scheduling process.
• We anticipate being able to send scheduling notifications to everyone pre-registered in Phase 1C by mid-April.
• We are committed to ensuring everyone on our priority pre-registration lists are notified to schedule appointments prior to going to Phase 2.

Everyone who lives or works in Virginia should pre-register so they can be notified when they are eligible for vaccination and vaccine is available.

The vaccines currently approved under Emergency Use Authority have not yet been studied in children younger than 16. They will not be available to that age group until more information is available.

The COVID-19 vaccine trial safety data have reported mostly mild or moderate symptoms after vaccination. The most common adverse reactions were temporary in nature, including: fever, body aches and soreness at the injection site.

Individuals will be notified directly by the vaccination clinic to schedule their second dose of vaccination. The County will email individuals around the approximate date of eligibility  with an invitation to schedule the second dose in Eventbrite. Check the location on your Eventbrite confirmation once scheduled. There are NO Walk in appointments available.

Please note that the date on your vaccination card is not an appointment; it is the date at which you become eligible to receive the second dose of your vaccine.

The Virginia Department of Health distributes second dose vaccine supply to localities based on specific first dose distribution numbers. Arlington schedules appointments based on available vaccine supply received.

View: Second vaccination flyer in English | Español

Yes. The second dose must be of the same vaccine from the same manufacturer.

Yes. The reason is that while we know the vaccine reduces the risk of developing serious COVID illness, we don’t know yet if it prevents the ability to carry and spread the virus to others still. The CDC has given clear direction that individuals should still wear masks, stating “it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic, like wearing masks, washing hands often, and social distancing.” The PPE guidance or isolation protocols should not be changed based on the provider’s or the patient’s vaccination status.

VDH: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated

No. The vaccine does not contain a live virus. It only contains a piece of the genetic code for the spike protein, which protects your body from the virus. It cannot give you COVID-19.

While the vaccine will help keep you from getting sick from COVID-19, scientists are not yet sure if a person who has been vaccinated can still give the virus to other people. That means it is important for everyone to get vaccinated and to continue wearing masks and following physical distancing recommendations.

Currently, there are three COVID-19 vaccines that have received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in the U.S.

• Pfizer: On Dec. 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use in persons 16 years and older.
• Moderna: On Dec. 18, 2020, the FDA issued an EUA for the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. ACIP issued an interim recommendation for its use in persons aged 18 years of age and older.
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson): On Feb. 27, 2021, the FDA issued an EUA for the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, allowing it to be distributed in the U.S. for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines; the Janseen vaccine is a viral vector vaccine. The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.

Vaccine ingredients lists can be found on the manufacturer’s fact sheets:

• Moderna, see page 2
• Pfizer-BioNTech, see page 2
• Janssen, see page 2

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are given in two doses by injecting it into the muscle, similar to the flu shot. The second dose should be administered about three weeks after the first dose for the Pfizer-BoiNTech and four weeks for the Moderna vaccine. Your shot will be recorded on a vaccination card and you will be asked to follow up with a second appointment at the appropriate time. You must receive both doses as scheduled in order to fully benefit from the vaccine’s protection.

The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine requires one dose.

Yes. It is recommended that you should still get the vaccine. It is important to note that regardless of a previous COVID-19 recovery or vaccination, individuals will still need to abide by the same health and safety protocols recommended by the CDC and Health Division. Read more: CDC’s FAQ about COVID-19 Vaccination.

We’re currently recruiting Complete Vaccine Committee (CVC) Organizational Partners. A CVC partner organization is an organization that agrees to receive and share information from the CVC and County Officials on the vaccine, including educational information, materials that can be shared with others, and updates on the distribution process. Sign up to be a CVC Organizational Partner: https://www.arlingtonva.us/cvcpartner/.

Also, see details on becoming part of our Medical Reserve Corps. In addition, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is recruiting Community Ambassadors. VDH Ambassadors are individuals who agree to share COVID-19 updates and materials from top experts and sources. Sign up here.

Finally, our community still has an immediate need for resources outside of the vaccination effort. Visit https://volunteer.leadercenter.org/covid-19-care-community to learn more about these opportunities to help.

COVID-19 vaccines have satisfied the requirements issued in the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Before the FDA grants an EUA, the safety and efficacy of these vaccines were reviewed by FDA scientific staff and by an independent panel of experts convened by the FDA. The CDC and the FDA will continue to monitor individuals who have received the vaccine to ensure there is no evidence of even rare safety issues. The vaccines were tested in large studies to include tens of thousands of people to make sure they met safety standards and protect people of different ages, races, and ethnicities. The study results showed that the vaccines’ benefits outweighed possible risks and provide protection from COVID-19.

COVID-19 can be a severe or fatal disease, even in young, healthy people. The risks from COVID-19 illness are greater than the possible risks from receiving the vaccine, therefore, when you are eligible for vaccination, it is strongly recommended you receive the vaccine. If you have specific questions about whether or not you should receive the vaccine when it is available, please contact your primary care provider.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines -- These vaccines include a piece of messenger RNA, or mRNA, that your body uses as instructions to make a protein that appears on the surface of the virus. Your immune system reacts to this protein and develops a response without danger of coronavirus infection. This allows your body to start preparing to fight against the virus even before you are exposed.

The Janseen vaccine is a viral vector vaccine -- For COVID-19 viral vector vaccines, the vector (not the virus that causes COVID-19, but a different, harmless virus) will enter a cell in our body and then use the cell’s machinery to produce a harmless piece of the virus that causes COVID-19. This piece is known as a spike protein and it is only found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19.

None of the vaccines can give you COVID-19.

Vaccine ingredients lists can be found on the manufacturer’s fact sheets:

• Moderna, see page 2
• Pfizer-BioNTech, see page 2
• Janssen, see page 2

In clinical trials, the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines were shown to have high efficacy (>94%) in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infection after two doses. They also showed that they could prevent severe disease. The vaccine works by stimulating our body’s immune system to make “antibodies” to the COVID-19 virus. These antibodies allow the body to quickly defend itself if one becomes infected with the virus.

While vaccines are very effective in preventing COVID-19, they are just one tool. Even for those who have been vaccinated, a combination of actions is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. After getting the vaccine, it will still be important to adhere to all health and safety recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health.

The CDC has publicly available information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine at www.cdc.gov. Individuals can select to read information on the CDC website in multiple languages.