DC launched its new coronavirus vaccine pre-registration site, after several technical flaws in the past few weeks that have frustrated residents trying to apply.
DC launched its new coronavirus vaccine pre-registration site on Wednesday after several technical flaws in the past few weeks that have frustrated residents trying to apply.
Qualified residents can now pre-register using the new system – developed by technology giant Microsoft – at vaccinate.dc.gov or can call 855-363-0333. After receiving the invitation to make an appointment, you will have 48 hours to make an appointment.
According to a press release from Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office, 48,513 people had previously registered for a midday vaccination appointment.
And she wants more residents to register.
“Today, Mayor Bowser is calling on Washington residents to help get all eligible individuals pre-registered for a vaccination appointment,” says the statement. “Right now, the order in which individuals register will not affect the order in which they are selected; a person who signed up today at 8:30 am will be in the same position as a person who signed up at 6:30 pm ”
The release also revealed more details about timing and distribution.
After the initial launch, appointment invitations will be sent:
- Thursdays at 10am
- Sundays at 10am
- And, only if any appointment still needs to be fulfilled, Tuesdays at 10am
Eligible individuals who register by 11:59 pm the night before invitations will be sent will be part of the random selection process.
Eligible individuals will be selected through a process that randomizes those who have enrolled, according to the following division:
- 20% go to DC residents in priority postal codes who are 65 or older
- 20% go to DC residents in any zip code aged 65 or over
- 20% go to DC residents in priority postal codes who are between 18 and 64 years old with a qualified medical condition
- 20% go to DC residents in any zip code who are between 18 and 64 years old with a qualified medical condition
- 10% go to DC residents in priority postal codes who are members of an eligible workforce aged 18 or over
- 10% go to members of an eligible workforce aged 18 or over, regardless of home address
Priority CEPs for this week have been adjusted. CEP 20001 is no longer considered a priority code and 20003 is being added. The current list of priority postal codes includes: 20422, 20011, 20017, 20018, 20002, 20003, 20019, 20020, 20032, 20593.
The wait from pre-registration to obtaining an injection in the arm remains the same.
Bowser said on Monday that there could be a considerable delay between pre-registration and vaccination.
“You will be waiting for a call, a text message or an email – your choice – informing you that it is time to make an appointment for a vaccination. This can take days, it can take weeks and it can even take months, depending on your risk factor and eligibility, ”she said.
She also warned that while residents should feel confident in the new pre-registration system, a rush of people trying to access the site can still cause problems.
As of March 10, DC residents aged 65 and over, residents aged 18 and over with a qualified medical condition or members of certain workforces are eligible for the vaccine.
Residents aged 16 or 17 with a qualified medical condition can apply for a vaccine waiting list through Children’s National Hospital on a separate online form. No vaccine has yet been authorized for children under the age of 16.
More news about Coronavirus
Looking for more information? DC, Maryland and Virginia are releasing more data every day. Visit their official websites here: Virginia | Maryland | A.D
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