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Norfolk — The federally run coronavirus vaccination clinic based at Military Circle mall had given 50,000 shots to people throughout Hampton Roads as of Thursday, a milestone public health officials had thought it would reach much sooner.
The FEMA center in Norfolk finally hit the number in the middle of its fifth week of administering Pfizer vaccines. The total falls far short of its original goal of up to 3,000 shots a day, which would have meant reaching that tally around April 16.
FEMA was expected to receive enough supplies to fully vaccinate 63,000 people with Pfizer and another 42,000 with single shots of Johnson & Johnson.
Much has changed over the past month, with the clinic watching what works and tweaking plans to reach more people, particularly from underserved communities in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News.
The clinic began hosting hub-and-spoke model vaccination events, with six mobile clinics setting up shop in targeted neighborhoods. The clinic also expanded from appointment-only vaccinations to allowing walk-ins about a week after opening.
FEMA then hosted a roundtable event with the White House, Norfolk State University and local and state leaders April 20 to discuss ways to boost vaccine confidence.
“Reaching capacity is not how we measure success,” said Corey DeMuro, a FEMA spokeswoman, in an email. “Success is expanding the rate of vaccinations in an efficient, effective and equitable manner. Working jointly with the Commonwealth and local partners, we now have more shots in arms then we did 5 weeks ago.”
The clinic faces the same challenge as many other sites around the country. Vaccine supplies are beginning to outpace demand, and convincing people who are on the fence to get their shots requires more effort.
In Virginia, about 57% of eligible residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, said Dr. Danny Avula, state vaccination coordinator, on a call with reporters Friday.
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FEMA had extended first-dose Pfizer appointments for adults two extra weeks with the last day May 1. Teens ages 16 and 17 will still be able to get first doses of Pfizer at the clinic through May 22. Pfizer is the only COVID-19 vaccine federally authorized for use in that age group. Because it is “critically important that all ages eligible to receive a vaccine have access,” vaccinators will have a limited supply on hand at the site for those older teens, public health officials said.
Second doses of Pfizer will overlap with Johnson & Johnson vaccinations.
Over the next three weeks, the clinic will be providing the J&J vaccine, aka the one-and-done shot, starting Wednesday and ending May 22. All Hampton Roads residents over the age of 18 are eligible to get it.
White House officials said Norfolk was picked for a federal vaccine clinic because of its 19.4% poverty rate, with about half of the population being minorities. Over 3% of the population has a limited English proficiency, and more than 1 in 10 residents is over 65, they said.
The vaccination center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the old Macy’s building, at 880 N. Military Highway. People interested in getting a vaccine must bring a valid ID or any document that provides proof of name.
Walk-ins are accepted, but people may also register online at norfolk.gov/covid19vaccine or by calling 1-877-829-4682.
Elisha Sauers, 757-839-4754, elisha.sauers@pilotonline.com