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Dear UVA Health Team Members,

Several vaccines for COVID-19 are moving closer to approval by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), and planning is underway for nationwide allocation and distribution. These efforts are being led by the Centers for Disease Control on the federal level and by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) within the Commonwealth. Initially, vaccine supplies will be limited, and distribution will focus on immunizing critical healthcare workers and persons with the highest risk of experiencing severe illness.

UVA Health expects to receive COVID-19 vaccine under an Emergency Use Authorization issued by the FDA. As directed by the VDH, we will use our initial vaccine allocations to immunize our high-risk team members.

Advance Planning

At this time, we do not know which vaccine will be approved and shipped first, how many doses will be available, when the first shipment will arrive, and how frequently our supply will be replenished. Despite these unknowns, we are developing plans to expedite immunization availability within UVA Health.

• Possible Start Date: The VDH has asked that we be ready to provide our first COVID-19 immunizations during December 2020.
• Vaccination Will Be Voluntary: The federal government will issue guidance for prioritizing groups to be immunized. Following that guidance, we will offer the vaccine to team members in the highest-risk groups first, and sign-up will be voluntary. Pre-vaccination education will be provided, and post-vaccination reporting required.
• Two-Doses Will Be Required: Vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are in the running to be the first to receive Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. Both require recipients to receive two doses separated by 21 to 28 days. This is a scheduling factor for interested team members to consider.

Next Steps for Team Members

• Listen and Learn: Please mark your calendar for a Virtual Forum scheduled to begin at 12 noon on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Speakers will discuss vaccine development and safety, distribution planning, and the UVA Health immunization process. More meeting details will be provided soon.
• Express Your Opinion: All team members are invited to participate in a voluntary, confidential online survey to help assess vaccination interest and prioritize vaccine distribution across UVA Health. The survey is now open and will close on Friday, Dec. 18.  Take survey.
• Stay Up to Date: Program information will be posted on the COVID-19 Resources Page.
• Submit Questions: CovidVax@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

Immunizing team members against COVID-19 is something we have long anticipated. As vaccines become available, we will take every step needed to ensure the safety and well-being of those who choose to be immunized. As national distribution efforts proceed, we will provide regular updates about our immunization plans and processes.

A bright light is now shining at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. At last, we can look forward to emerging from this most challenging time together.

Sincerely,

Costi Sifri, MD
Hospital Epidemiologist