ROANOKE, Va. – Gov. Ralph Northam was at the Berglund Center Friday as teachers from the Roanoke Valley got their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
The vaccination event was hosted by the Virginia Department of Health’s Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District in collaboration with Carilion Clinic.
Around 2,000 educators and staff from Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem City and Botetourt County school systems were vaccinated.
“I’m excited that our children get to see this and see how we’re responding,” said Amanda Gibson.
The principal of West Salem Elementary School got her first dose of the vaccine in under 15 minutes.
“It was just a tiny little pinch. It really didn’t hurt at all,” explained Gibson. “I feel great. I really do!”
To show his support for local health leaders, Gov. Northam toured the massive event and delivered comments to the media.
“A couple of weeks ago, I was concerned that we weren’t getting enough doses in arms so I encouraged flexibility,” stated Northam when questioned whether the move from Group 1A to Group 1B was too aggressive and is leading to slow dissemination of the vaccine in Virginia.
“What we need is more doses. Virginia is getting about 105,000 doses a week, but it’s nowhere near where we need to be,” said Northam. “What we would like to see is by early to mid-summer that all Virginians have been vaccinated, and finally we can get all children back in school safely, get our businesses up and running and we can return to a near normal life.”
The Governor says he is working with the Biden Administration to see when Virginia’s weekly supply will increase. Thanks to the Defense Production Act, Northam says he is in direct contact with pharmacies as well.