Northam urges Virginians to get vaccine

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)- Gov. Ralph Northam urged Virginians to continue getting vaccinated against the coronavirus Monday, a day after the state opened up eligibility for a shot to everyone 16 and older.

“The sooner that we can get people vaccinated the better and the sooner we’ll get to herd immunity,” said Northam, who spoke with federal and local elected officials at a vaccination site in northern Virginia.

On Sunday, Virginia moved to Phase 2 of its vaccine distribution plan. Demand for the vaccine continues to outstrip supply, officials said.

People who want a vaccine can pre-register online through a health department website or visit vaccinefinder.org to search for places that offer one. Scheduling through a call center with translation services is also an option at (877) VAX-IN-VA.

While Virginia has temporarily paused the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines while the federal government investigates rare reports of blood clots, Northam said he thinks the allotment of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines the state is getting will allow all the state’s adults to be vaccinated by mid to late May. No vaccine has been approved yet for use in younger children.

The governor said about half of adults in Virginia have received at least a first dose so far.

.