RICHMOND, Virginia. – Starting this week, pharmacies in Virginia that administer COVID-19 vaccines will be synchronized with the implantation of the state, which keeps the focus on the elderly, but the chance for a young woman to get vaccinated came a little earlier than expected.
Mel Pruett has lived in fear for eleven months.
“It was very scary to go to the supermarket for the first time, even going to my car. I remember holding my breath because I was so scared, ”said Pruett. “I am someone who cannot get sick. You can literally kill me ”
The Richmond woman takes no chances when it comes to coronavirus. She lives with a debilitating underlying condition called POTS. It means Orthostatic Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.
“I know I look healthy, like a normal 20-something person, but this is an invisible disease, an invisible condition that affects your whole body,” explained Pruett. “It affects your heart, it affects your blood pressure, it affects your cognitive thinking.”
Mel Pruett
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It also makes it vulnerable to COVID-19.
“So if I had an infection, I would essentially die,” said Pruett.
But your fears will be over soon.
When Walgreens first opened COVID vaccine consultations in Virginia, Pruett was able to claim one.
She said a friend tagged her in a Facebook post alerting her of appointments five hours away at Pennington Gap, in the southwestern state.
“I woke up at 2 am for my vaccination appointment, I had to drive through Tennessee,” recalls Pruett.
While Pruett qualified for category 1B because of his pre-existing condition, the Virginia Department of Health asked all pharmacies that administer injections to prioritize seniors 65 and older.
So how did Pruett and other Virgins under 65 get nominations?
RELATED: Pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine on the Vaccinate Virginia website.
“It took us a few days to figure out exactly how it would work logistically,” said Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccination leader.
Avula said that when other pharmacies were added to a federal vaccine program, coordination details were still being finalized.
“In the meantime, we didn’t want people to sit around vaccination or postpone vaccinating communities while they were vaccinated,” said Avula. “So we said: go ahead and use the process you want for the first few days.”
As of Monday, Avula said pharmacies will make appointments using the statewide pre-registration system established by the HRD.
In a statement, a corporate spokesman for Walgreens said the pharmacy will follow HRD instructions to prioritize people over 65. However, Walgreens will not cancel consultations already made by people under the age of 65.
While Pruett waits for the second dose, she says she is looking forward to getting her life back on track.
“I feel like this is, you know, almost a second chance in life,” said Pruett. “It saves lives.”
Pruett gives credit to social media for helping her find a compromise and wants to encourage others who are looking for a chance to use social media as a tool to help others.
She hopes to receive her second dose closer to home.
There is currently no residency requirement for vaccines, but the HRD encourages those who have an injection in their local health district, since the allocation is based on geographic population.
Precautions with covid19
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more serious illnesses, including death, especially among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear 14 days after exposure to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials recommended the following precautions:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid non-essential travel.