January 22, 2021
Dear Washingtonians,
This morning, we were proud to begin offering vaccination appointments to teachers and staff at DC Public Schools who are already working in person or who will be returning in person for Term 3. These vaccinations, which will serve as an extra layer of protection on top of the thorough health and safety protocols already in place, mark an important milestone in this pandemic. They represent our community's ongoing commitment to getting young people back in the classroom with their teachers and classmates. And the fact that our public school teachers and staff are next in line to get vaccinated after health care workers is a testament to the critical role our public schools play in the community.
I am also proud that DC is doing a remarkable job of getting the vaccine out and into arms. In fact, according to data posted yesterday on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID Data Tracker, DC is at the top of the list for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. However, we also know that demand for the vaccine far outpaces the supply we are receiving from the federal government, so I continue to advocate for Washington, DC to receive more doses.
That said, with demand for the vaccine so high, I encourage all DC residents and workers to take the vaccine the first opportunity you get when you become eligible. With nationwide scarcity, you do not know when you will get your next chance. The vaccine is safe, effective, and our path out of this pandemic. Furthermore, getting vaccinated will protect you, your friends and family, and our entire community, especially our seniors and other vulnerable neighbors.
If you have not already done so, go to vaccinate.dc.gov to sign up to receive updates on the vaccine rollout and to learn more about which hospitals and health centers have the vaccine and are doing outreach to eligible patients.
Sincerely,
 The District's vaccination phases and tiers are based on two factors:
- prevention of morbidity and mortality; and
- preservation of societal functions.
In terms of prevention of morbidity and mortality, the first populations to begin receiving the vaccine were individuals in nursing homes then followed by District residents 65 years old and older.
In terms of preservation of societal functions, the first populations to begin receiving the vaccine were health care workers. The week of January 25, DC will also begin vaccinating public school teachers, members of the Metropolitan Police Department, as well as some “Continuity of District Government” personnel.
Next week, DC will receive 8,775 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 5,600 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
Moderna doses breakdown:
- 2,975 doses for appointments that were made available through the portal this week
- 1,500 doses for appointments that were booked last week
- 300 doses to a pharmacy to vaccinate residents of Intermediate Care Facilities
- 100 doses to a pharmacy to vaccinate residents of community residential facilities/group homes
- 400 doses to Unity Healthcare to vaccinate individuals experiencing homelessness and patients at Unity
- 200 doses to United Medical Center for patients that will be booked directly through UMC
- 125 doses for pharmacy or provider staff, or to be allocated in the following week’s schedule
Pfizer doses breakdown:
- 3,900 doses to Children’s for DCPS in-person staff
- 1,950 doses to One Medical for public charter school in-person staff
- 1,950 doses to Kaiser for MPD and their eligible patients
- 975 doses to Sibley/Johns Hopkins for the Senior Housing-DCHA initiative and their patients
If you are not yet eligible, of if you are eligible but have not yet been able to make an appointment, sign up to receive alerts from DC Health at vaccinate.dc.gov.
Currently, demand for the vaccine in DC is much higher than the supply we are receiving from federal government. Mayor Bowser and DC Health continue to advocate for the federal government to send more vaccine so that we can meet the high demand for it and protect the lives of our residents and our workforce.
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 The pause on various Phase Two activities that began on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 ended on Friday, January 22, 2021, at 5:00 a.m. This means that beginning Friday, January 22, restaurants can allow indoor dining at 25% capacity or no more than 250 people, whichever is fewer people. Additionally, museums can open, but no more than 250 people allowed per floor and no guided tours.
DC Government services that were paused will remain suspended:
- DC public libraries will continue to only offer pickup and drop-off services.
- The DC Circulator National Mall route will remain suspended.
- The only allowable indoor operations at Department of Parks and Recreation facilities are individual reservations for swimming and fitness rooms. Socially distanced, non-high-contact activities can continue outdoors for adult and youth sports groups, and residents may continue to use fields for individual exercise.
Residents, workers, and visitors are urged to stay vigilant, continue to wear a mask, social distance, practice good hygiene, and avoid gatherings and crowds.
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 We thank the many local restaurants that played a role in helping to feed the troops and visiting law enforcement officers throughout the 59th Presidential Inauguration
We ask residents to continue supporting our local restaurants and businesses.
DC's Winter Restaurant Week is from January 25 to February 7, and many local restaurants have deals, including takeout deals. Learn more about participating restaurants and their offers at ramw.org.
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