CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Saturday, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare gave 1,100 COVID-19 vaccines to people in the Phase 1b vaccination group who are most at risk for contracting the virus.
Qualifying Chesapeake city employees, police, firefighters and Chesapeake residents at greatest risk were vaccinated at Saturday's event, which was held at The Mount Chesapeake’s Signet Center at 884 Bells Mill Road.
A spokesperson for Chesapeake Regional told News 3 health officials vaccinated about 130 people per hour.
“We want to increase access to the vaccine for those who take care of the citizens of our city as well as the communities who are at greatest risk of dying from the COVID-19 virus," said Reese Jackson, President & CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.
Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Carey, MD, MHCM; and Janice Underwood, Ph.D., Chief Diversity Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the COVID-19 Equity Task Force stopped by to visit the clinic to offer their support of Chesapeake Regional’s efforts.
Dr. Nancy Welch, Director of the Chesapeake Health Department says, “This event is public health in action and an excellent representation of how organizations should work together toward preventing illness and encouraging healthy behaviors.”
Related: List of Hampton Roads and surrounding areas COVID-19 vaccination plans
Since the COVID-19 vaccines became available in December, Chesapeake Regional has provided vaccines for more than 9,000 health care workers and community members. It is also continuing to provide space on its Chesapeake campus, where the Chesapeake Health Department and other physician groups in Chesapeake hold vaccination clinics.
