Most Rate Virginia Vaccine Rollout Poorly, On Wait Lists: Survey

VIRGINIA — As Virginia approaches two full months of COVID-19 vaccinations, we asked readers for their thoughts on the vaccine rollout and experiences with getting the vaccine. More than half of those who responded are not happy with how the state has handled the process.

The non-scientific survey to gauge reader sentiment was open from noon on Tuesday, Feb. 9 through noon on Thursday, Feb. 11. We received 1,250 responses.

We opened the survey as large portions of the population are eligible for the vaccine in Virginia's current phases 1a and 1b, but limited doses mean there are wait lists. People eligible in phase 1a are health care workers and long-term care facility residents. Groups eligible in phase 1b are people 65 and over, people 16 to 64 with an underlying health condition or disability, certain essential worker groups, and people living in homeless shelters, correctional facilities and migrant labor camps.

The survey asked readers to rate Virginia's vaccine rollout on a scale of 1 to 5. The most respondents — 36.2 rated it as 1 (very poor), 29.7 percent as 2 (poor), 21.2 percent as 3 (neutral), 7.6 percent as 4 (good) and 5.4 percent as 5 (very good).

In our survey, 30.9 percent said they've received the vaccine, and 64.5 percent said they have not. The remaining 4.6 percent indicated they were not eligible yet.

A majority of respondents — 69.5 percent — indicated they are on a wait list. An additional 14.9 percent said they were on a wait list but got an appointment. There were 11 percent who got an appointment without facing a wait. The remaining 4.6 percent are not eligible for the vaccine yet.

For those that received the first dose, the most common symptom was a sore arm or no symptoms. Some also reported fatigue, headache, aches, low-grade fever, and nausea. Those who have received the second shot reported commonly reported a sore arm, aches, and fatigue. Some reported chills, fever, headache, malaise, and nausea. One person reported vomiting and vertigo. For more guidance after receiving the vaccine, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's common side effects and tips.

Few respondents indicated they are choosing not to get the vaccine at this time. Multiple respondents want to know more information about long-term effects, and others raised concerns about incidences of side effects, receiving the vaccine while immunocompromised, and anxiety attacks.

Comments About Vaccine Rollout

We also asked readers if they had additional comments about the vaccine rollout. Some raised concerns about the limited vaccine availability, communications about the vaccine, information about registering particularly for seniors, and transparency.

People who have conditions that put them at higher risk for severe illness raised concerns about equitable access.

"I have 90 and 91 year old parents who can’t find the vaccine anywhere," one respondent said. "We have called and tried everywhere for weeks. The health dept has been no help. This state was completely unprepared."

"Virginia has not done a good job getting people vaccinated," another person wrote. "I am 67 have auto immune disease and other illness. I am on a medication that suppresses the immune system. I need this vaccine and worry everyday."

"Eligible for 1b. Have been on the waitlist for over 3 weeks. Signed up the morning it opened. Haven’t heard a word. Ridiculous," another person wrote.

One respondent also expressed concerns about access for Black residents.

"I’m tired of hearing that Black people refuse the vaccine. Most like me have not been offered," the person wrote.

On the communications front, some respondents want updates on their wait list status.

"I somewhat understand the vaccine shortage but less clear is the silence regarding one's status on any waiting lists," one respondent wrote. "I'm not in any way trying to push to the front of the line--I'll patiently await my turn. But, as a 72 yr old 100% Disabled (Agent Orange) Vet with Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure, I'd like to know that there IS a line/list for me."

"It would be helpful if the health department could tell you what numbers on the waiting list they are working on so you would know if you are even getting close to getting an appointment," said another respondent. "This could be published on their web site."

Some people who received doses had positive things to say about the actual appointments.

The wait and not knowing when I would get the shot was the only negative," said one respondent. "Online registry was easy. The process of actually getting the shot was a breeze. There were a large number of volunteers who were helpful with completing the form and going to the table for my shot."

"The registration process had some glitches, but once the appointment had been made the vaccination process was outstanding!" another person shared. "Very well organized, informed volunteers and plenty of 2 team medical personnel to administer the vaccines to individuals."

"I got my first dose of Pfizer on 2/6 only 1 day after being emailed that I could make an appointment, Fairfax County did an excellent job at the GMU EagleBank Arena," another said. "The process was quick and efficient."

"I am a teacher with FCPS, so I was very lucky to get my shots with INOVA," another said. "They are so organized and running a great program. The second time I was there they had a violinist playing for people in the waiting area. Very well run program with INOVA!"

COVID-19 Data Update by Patch editor Michael O'Connell

As of Thursday, 1,191,875 doses have been administered in the state, or about 73 percent of the 1,621,975 doses distributed. According to VDH, 946,404 people have at least one dose (11.1 percent of the population), and 245,471 are fully vaccinated (2.6 percent of the population).

Vaccine doses administered by facility type include 421,981 by hospitals, 337,222 by local health departments, 157,616 by long-term care facilities, 124,562 by community health providers, 110,631 by medical practices and 39,863 by pharmacies.

On Thursday, 3,699 additional coronavirus cases and 26 deaths were reported in Virginia. Cumulative cases stand at 541,018, and there have been 6,958 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
Hospitalizations decreased from 2,198 to 2,133 on Thursday. The current patients include 451 in the intensive care units and 289 on ventilators. COVID-19 patients account for approximately 15 percent of the 13,464 total hospital beds occupied in Virginia.

According to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, ICU occupancy among all hospital patients is at 82 percent, and ventilator use is at 33 percent.

The seven-day positive average of PCR tests stands at 10.1 percent statewide as of Feb. 7. The state is averaging 11,003 PCR testing encounters per day, which is down from a peak average of 35,015 testing encounters on Jan. 14.

Below are the latest coronavirus data updates for our coverage area from Wednesday to Thursday:

• Alexandria: 9,846 cases, 495 hospitalizations, 104 deaths; increase of 48 cases and one less death
• Arlington County: 12,440 cases, 746 hospitalizations, 209 deaths; increase of 76 cases and one hospitalization
• Fairfax County: 62,854 cases, 3,394 hospitalizations, 826 deaths; increase of 409 cases, 19 hospitalizations and five deaths
• Fairfax City: 448 cases, 33 hospitalizations, 12 deaths; no change
• Falls Church: 321 cases, 20 hospitalizations, seven deaths; increase of three cases
• Loudoun County: 21,897 cases, 808 hospitalizations, 190 deaths; increase of 89 cases, 10 hospitalizations and one less death
• Manassas: 3,893 cases, 156 hospitalizations, 33 deaths; increase of 27 cases and 1 hospitalization
• Manassas Park: 1,101 cases, 66 hospitalizations, eight deaths; no change
• Prince William County: 37,422 cases, 1,348 hospitalizations, 327 deaths; increase of 238 cases
• Fredericksburg: 1,693 cases, 77 hospitalizations, 14 deaths; increase of 15 cases, 10 hospitalizations, and one less death
• Spotsylvania County: 7,79 9cases, 252 hospitalizations, 87 deaths; increase of 55 cases
• Stafford County: 8,839 cases, 293 hospitalizations, 53 deaths; increase of 112 cases and two hospitalizations