Local health officials expect to be able to start offering COVID-19 vaccine to younger kids in the next couple of days.
Doctor Cynthia Morrow with the Roanoke City-Alleghany Health District says a few additional approvals from a federal advisory panel and the Virginia Department of Health are still needed for the 12 to 15 year old age group. Pfizer s vaccine is currently approved for use in people age 16 and older.
Credit AP Photo / Ted S. Warren, File
Morrow admitted demand at school vaccination clinics has not been as strong as hoped for. The reality is across the country, we know that young, healthy people may not feel that the vaccine is as important as it is for older people. But we know they can spread the disease and we know they could spread it to people who could get very sick from it, Morrow said during a weekly conference call with reporters. So it’s important for all of us who can get vaccinated to get vaccinated. Morrow said it s hard to know if the lo
Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts holds vaccine clinic for people with disabilities
ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts held a COVID-19 vaccine clinic specifically for people with disabilities Wednesday.
The once-coveted COVID-19 vaccine is now available to just about anyone who wants one but for many, available does not mean accessible.
“Afraid to go out, afraid to catch it because if I catch it, with my lungs, I’m a goner,” said Shelia Addair, who got her vaccine Wednesday. “People with disabilities like me can’t walk very far, we can’t get very far, we can’t stand, we can’t sit.”
What’s News Today: first lady visits, road improvements
Here’s a look at some of the stories we’ll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.
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What s News Today (WSLS 10)
First Lady Pamela Northam will make a visit to Southside today. She will visit Schoolfield Elementary in Danville. She will meet with teachers and staff, thanking for their service as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.
Road work in Lynchburg could impact your commute today in Lynchburg. Boonsboro and Link Roads will be down to one lane as crews work underground. Work will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Health departments and local school systems are already planning to hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics for younger students.
The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control could expand authorization for Pfizer’s vaccine to the 12 to 15 year old age group within the next week.
Credit AP Photo/Orlin Wagner
The director of the Roanoke City-Alleghany Health District, Dr. Cynthia Morrow, said plans are being made to get shots to that younger age group. We have been holding high school vaccinations for our 16 and 17 year olds. So far we’ve had pretty good success. Lower rates than we’d like to see, she admitted on a weekly conference call with reporters. Morrow said she held a planning call with school superintendents Tuesday morning.