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GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ST. CROIX OFFICE 3500 ESTATE RICHMO CHRISTIANSTED, ST. CROIX, U.S.V.I. 00820-4370 MEMORIAL COMPLEX TEL: (340)718-6551 * FAX: (340)718-1376 ST.THOMAS OFFICE 1303 HOSPITAL GROUND, SUITE 10 CHARLOTTE AMALIE ST.THOMAS, U.S.V.I. 00802-6722 TEL: (340)774-0117 * FAX: (340)777-4001 PRESS RELEASE Contact: Monife Stout January 4, 2021 monife.stout@doh.vi.gov Department of Health Announces Roll-Out of COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1B St. Croix, US Virgin Islands—The Virgin Islands Department of Health has advanced its phase- based COVID-19 vaccination plan from 1A to 1B. Per recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Phase 1A included clinical healthcare staff, residents and staff in long-term care facilities, persons in need of special care and staff in congregate living facilities (outside of nursing homes) and the elderly throughout the territory. Phase 1A vaccinations started on December 16, 2020 and will continue throughout the upcoming phases. The Department of Health has received 4,825 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and approximately 1.200 doses have been administered across the territory. Additional vaccines are being ordered and delivered on a weekly basis to ensure adequate supply to our community. In addition to first responders, persons with immunocompromised conditions, and the 65 and older population, Phase 1B comprises specified frontline staff of select local and federal public and private agencies or entities that regularly engage with the public. The following groups range from emergency or first responders to teachers and grocery workers. PRESS RELEASE These organizations include the following: Pharmacies Virgin Islands Police Department Bureau of Corrections Virgin Islands Fire Service Virgin Islands Department of Education Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Enforcement Officers Department of Planning and Natural Resources Enforcement Officers VITRAN Bus Drivers United States Postal Service Local and Federal Courts Customs and Border Protection Transportation Security Administration Port Authority VI Taxi Associations Bureau of Motor Vehicles Department of Tourism Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation Legislature of the Virgin Islands University of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Virgin Islands National Guard Government House Enforcement Team Grocery Stores Department of Human Resources (Field Workers, Case Workers, and Home Care Workers) Banks Local Contract Workers/Essential Workers Jurisdictions across the nation are not obligated to comply with ACIP recommendations for phased vaccination population determinations; however, as most jurisdictions, we are using their recommendations as a guide. It is expected for the Department to roll into subsequent phases as the vaccine inventory increases. The department has partnered with VITEMA to ensure the local and federal government target populations are vaccinated by working within each vaccinating provider's schedule and notifying the agency of which provider can be contacted for an appointment. A letter from VITEMA was issued to those groups requesting they indicate the number of persons in their agency who are interested in receiving the vaccine. Not all agencies have responded, but those who have were instructed to make an appointment with a participating provider. PRESS RELEASE There are 28 providers (not including hospitals and distribution hubs) who have enrolled to administer vaccines and more who have expressed an interest in becoming a provider. THE FOLLOWING PROVIDERS ARE ACTIVELY VACCINATING BY APPOINTMENTS: St. Croix St. Thomas VI DOH Community Health STX 340-718-1311 VIDOH Community Health STT 340-774-7477 Neighborhood Pharmacy 340-718-6784 Carolyn Jones MD PC 340-774-2331 Delgiacco Medical LLC 340-772-1551 Inter-Island Pharmacies 340-777-1400 Pediatric Care Center 340-719-0681 Partners 4Kids 340-774-5437 St. Croix Obstetrics and Gynecology LLC 340-719-9876 Red Hook Family Practice PC 340-775-2303 Frederiksted Health Care Inc, North Shore 340-772-0260 VI Urologic Center, Inc. 340-774-9655 Plessen Urgent Care 340-715-7720 Yacht Haven Family Practice 340-776-1511 Frederiksted Health Care Inc., Ingeborge Nesbitt 340-772-0260 Cruz Bay Family Practice 340-776-6789 Wilson Healthcare Consultants 340-776-5507 ProHealth Urgent Care LLC 340-998-2404 St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation 340-775-3700 Frederiksted Health Care, Mid Island 340-772-0260 St. John Agape Wellness Center & Wound Care LLC 340-778-1932 Island Health and Wellness Center, Inc. 340-714-4270 Virgin Islands Ear, Nose & Throat STT 340-774-8881 B & S Medical 340-713-0348 Acute Alternative Medical Group 340-772-2883 Transform KM (Kmart Pharmacy) 864-991-9643 Risa M M Nielsen MD LLC 340-778-6680 Virgin Islands Ear, Nose & Throat STX 340-773-8801 PRESS RELEASE The next vaccination phase is 1C and includes individuals who work in water and waste management, food services, shelters and housing, finance, information technology and communications, energy, legal, and media with a continuation of those not vaccinated in phases 1A and 1B. Phases 2 and 3 encapsulate the wider public starting with those in prior phases who have not yet been vaccinated, then the rest of the wider public. The overall vaccination process is fluid and changes depending on the allotment of vaccines sent to the territory as it becomes available nationally. The territory requests at least the minimum dose amount per vaccine (975 for Pfizer and 1,900 for Moderna) which is sent weekly as ordered. There are no exact dates for each phase to start and stop. The department is in the planning phases for mass vaccination slated for the early Spring of 2021. For more information, please visit covid19usvi.com/vaccines.