Grocery store workers, along with people who work in health and human services, social services (as outreach workers), manufacturing, and food packaging are now eligible for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in the District.
Starting Thursday, February 18, populations in these four categories are able to schedule vaccination appointments via vaccinate.dc.gov or by calling the District’s coronavirus call center, according to an announcement that came on Wednesday from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Health.
Grocery store workers include those “who work at larger chain grocery stores and superstores as well as those who work at smaller establishments that sell food such as convenience stores, neighborhood markets, bodegas, and delis,” said a statement from the Mayor’s Office.
At 6 pm on Thursday, February 18, the city will open up around 2,450 appointments for residents who live in priority zip codes and are 65 years old or older, as well as members of the newly eligible workforce groups.
“A grocery store worker who lives in a priority zip code can book at an appointment, regardless of the location of the grocery store they work in,” according to DC Health.
Beginning on Thursday, February 18, individuals who work in a grocery store setting, health and human services and social services outreach, manufacturing, and food packaging will become eligible to book vaccination appointments through https://t.co/BmyOxFg0Qx or the Call Center. pic.twitter.com/rp3XcNFnI4
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) February 17, 2021
Priority zip codes, which are determined based on certain criteria such as areas disproportionately affected by COVID-19, number of cases and mortality rate, are focused in Wards 5, 7, and 8 and include: 20422, 20011, 20017, 20018, 20002, 20001, 20019, 20020, 20032, 20593.
You can schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment via this portal.
Currently eligible populations for coronavirus vaccine in the District are:
- Individuals who work in health care settings
- Members of the Fire and EMS Department
- Residents of long-term and intermediate care facilities and residents of community residential facilities/group homes
- DC residents who are 65 years old and older
- People experiencing homelessness
- Members of the Metropolitan Police Department, Continuity of District Government personnel and Department of Corrections employees and residents
- Teachers and staff who are, or will be, working in person at a traditional or public charter school
- Child care workers and teachers and staff at independent schools in DC
- Four categories of workforce populations that newly became eligible.