Message from Provost Cyril Clarke: COVID-19 Vaccination Plan and Process

Dear colleagues,

The Provost’s Office has received a number of questions regarding the expected timeline for COVID-19 vaccinations for our faculty, staff, and students.  As we continue to meet our commitment to accomplish the academic mission of Virginia Tech while mitigating health safety risk, particularly to more vulnerable individuals, it is important that you have a clear understanding of how the VDH’s COVID-19 vaccination plan is designed, and how is it is being implemented.

The New River Health District (NRHD) is responsible for managing the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and protocols for faculty, staff, and students on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus. Other health districts around the state are doing the same for Virginia Tech’s distributed centers and locations, and the university is supporting these health districts to inform our community that vaccines are currently being distributed to personnel according to criteria for Phases 1a and 1b. Virginia Tech is not in charge of nor does it have the authority to independently schedule, obtain, or administer COVID-19 vaccinations for employees or students.

Phase 1a of VDH’s response plan allows for the vaccination of healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities. Healthcare systems and local health departments are working collaboratively to vaccinate these vital personnel. Phase 1b includes the vaccination of frontline essential workers, people aged 65 years and older, and people aged 16 through 64 years with a high-risk medical condition or disability that increases the possibility of illness from COVID-19. Virginia Tech is working with the NRHD to register our Blacksburg campus group 1b frontline employees for vaccines. The university is also identifying group 1b employees across our Virginia campuses and coordinating with those local health districts to get these personnel vaccinated.

Employees who are 65 and up or aged 16 to 64 with an underlying health condition should register themselves for the vaccine. Those in the New River Valley should register through the NRHD website. After registering, you will need to wait for a call from NRHD to schedule your vaccine appointment. In other parts of Virginia, visit your local health district website or call your locality to receive information about the registration process in your area.

Faculty and staff at institutions of higher education in Virginia (who do not meet the criteria for Phase 1a or 1b) are included in Phase 1c of the state’s vaccination response plan. Student wage employees and graduate assistants who work for the university in some capacity are also anticipated to be in Phase 1c. The timeline for vaccination of those in Phase 1c has not yet been determined by VDH as the NRHD reports that vaccine demand in the region significantly exceeds current supply. As availability increases statewide, VDH will continue to expand vaccinations to more recipients, and the NRHD will move to Phase 1c when authorized by the state. The university is communicating with health districts to explore the possibility of coordinating registration for Phase 1c and establishing vaccination clinics on campus.

While faculty and staff may be disappointed that insufficient availability of vaccines has delayed implementation of Phase 1c, please bear in mind that the strategy being employed by the VDH is aligned with that of the university – to prioritize the health safety of those most at risk of contracting COVID-19 and suffering serious consequences. We have demonstrated that in-person instruction can be delivered with appropriate public health measures in place.

As long as we continue to operate in the midst of the pandemic, it is essential that all of our campus and locations continue to be vigilant in following public health guidelines, which includes wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, avoiding large crowds, and washing hands frequently in order to minimize the spread of the virus. President Sands’ message to the university community reinforces this guidance and encourages employees and students to continue with these public health measures both prior to and following receiving the vaccine. Vice President for Human Resources Bryan Garey also shared information which might be helpful to review. Further information and updates on vaccinations for the Virginia Tech community can be found on the Virginia Tech Ready, Virginia Department of Health, and New River Health District (for Blacksburg campus) websites. Information for health districts serving other Virginia Tech locations around the state can be found on the VDH’s local health districts page.

We will continue to keep you informed and updated as often as possible through Virginia Tech News, the Provost’s Office, and your deans and department/unit heads. Thank you for your continued efforts to provide our students with safe and active learning experiences, and your ongoing commitment to moving Virginia Tech forward.

Sincerely,

Cyril