05/12/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/12/2021 15:42
(Washington, DC) - As DC prepares to dial up more activities beginning on May 21, Mayor Bowser is encouraging all residents 16 and older to get vaccinated so that they can safely enjoy all DC has to offer. DC Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to emphasize that fully vaccinated people can safely enjoy more activities - masked and unmasked and indoors and outdoors - than unvaccinated people.
Today, it is anticipated that the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will recommend the Pfizer vaccine for use in adolescents 12-15 years of age. Should this happen, DC will start vaccinating those adolescents as soon as tomorrow morning. More information will be released once recommendations are published.
Upcoming Vaccination Clinics
Currently, residents who are 16 and older can walk up to vaccination sites across the city without making an appointment to get their free COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who received their first dose in DC should return to the same location for their second dose. Individuals who received a first dose out of state may bring their vaccine card to a walk-up location with the corresponding vaccine type to receive their second dose. A full schedule of the days and hours of the walk-up sites can be found on coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc. Residents are able to see approximate wait times, if there is a wait, at each site at coronavirus.dc.gov/dontwait.
Newly Added Walk-Up Sites
The walk-up sites are in addition to the pharmacies, clinics, and health care providers that are also administering the vaccines citywide. These sites operate their own scheduling systems, and residents who prefer to make an appointment instead of visiting a walk-up site are encouraged to make an appointment at a pharmacy, clinic, or health care provider. Residents can find the closest available vaccination location at vaccines.gov or by texting their zip code to GETVAX (438829) in English, or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish.
Members of the community can help get Washingtonians vaccinated by participating in Mayor Bowser's second DC COVID-19 Community Corps Day of Action on Saturday, May 22.
Residents who are unable to leave home to get vaccinated can still call 1-855-363-0333 to make an appointment for a free at-home vaccination.
Friday, May 28 will be the last day of operations for the COVID-19 testing site at Judiciary Square. The Anacostia, UDC Bertie Backus, and fire station testing sites will continue to operate and individuals can continue to pick up and drop off free Test Yourself DC at-home testing kits at libraries across DC.
Residents, visitors, and workers are reminded that the safest way to enjoy all DC has to offer is by getting vaccinated.